Unknown Militia photos

[blackwatch70]

Some interesting information here - http://scottishmilitaryresearch.weeb...hotographs.pdf

by the way, can someone post this file to another network share? - I just can't download it!

[blackwatch70]

The sporran badge looks like a Royal Scots cap badge, but the rest of the uniform looks nothing like Royal Scots pipers.

They are 2nd Battalion of Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) pipers. After 1881.

[figheadair]

They are 2nd Battalion of Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) pipers. After 1881.

I didn't know that the 2nd Bn Pipers wore Govt tartan.

[blackwatch70]

I didn't know that the 2nd Bn Pipers wore Govt tartan.

Yes they wore Govt tartan in 1881-1891. The Cameronians did not wear tartan until 1881 when, in common with other Lowland regiments, they adopted the Government tartan. It was only in 1891 that the regiment was authorised to wear the Douglas tartan, which was taken into use the following year.

[Ninehostages]

I am amazed at all of your knowledge. I didn't know that there was a "TA" militia in Scotland in the 19th century. It had never occurred to me.

[figheadair]

I am amazed at all of your knowledge. I didn't know that there was a "TA" militia in Scotland in the 19th century. It had never occurred to me.

There were Militia and Volunteer regiments in Scotland from the late 18th century. In 1908 the remaining ones disappeared under the Haldane Reforms which, amongst other things, set up the Territorial Army (the TA).

[gun eagal]

They are 2nd Battalion of Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) pipers. After 1881.

Notice the ring cap and bush is missing from the bass drone of the piper on the left, and his chanter has several bindings on it. The bindings look like tuning tape, but of course they didn't have tape to tune with in those days.

[blackwatch70]

The experts here will probably know what units these men are members of, photos I have in my Unknown file.

Some appear to be Victorian militia units, others I can only guess.

IMHO, it's 96th Highland Rifle Militia (1860-1881). The bonnet and doublet of Rifle green,all the piping in black. Kilt of "wide" MacKenzie sett, the sporran being a dark hair one with 3 black tassels and brass cantle. The hose have black and red dicing, the gaiters are brown.
In 1881 the battalion adopted the uniform and appointments of the Seaforth Highlanders (as 3rd Battalion of Seaforth Hldrs).

[figheadair]

IMHO, it's 96th Highland Rifle Militia (1860-1881). The bonnet and doublet of Rifle green,all the piping in black. Kilt of "wide" MacKenzie sett, the sporran being a dark hair one with 3 black tassels and brass cantle. The hose have black and red dicing, the gaiters are brown.
In 1881 the battalion adopted the uniform and appointments of the Seaforth Highlanders (as 3rd Battalion of Seaforth Hldrs).

It could be MacKenzie, shame that the resolution is too poor to pick out the red stripe which would clinch it.

[blackwatch70]

Looks like regular Queens Own Cameron Highlanders battalion. Some flares on sporran make it unusual...
Poor quality photo.