Black Watch Tartan - A Brief History Of Its Clan

In 1725, following the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, General George Wade was asked to put together 'six watches' companies to patrol the Scottish Highlands. Three companies were made up of members of Clan Campbell, one by Clan Fraser of Lovat, one by Clan Grant, and one by Clan Munro.

The clans' duties were to prevent fighting among the highlanders, bring criminals to justice, disarm highlanders carrying weapons and essentially keep the peace among their clan members. When the plague struck Scotland in 1744, chieftains began to employ plague watchers (Black Watch) to protect their families from the illness. These men wore black kilts that blended in with the night and so kept them safe from roaming bands of brigands and robbers. The name derived from both their ability to watch over the wounded while they slept as well as keep an eye out for any intruders at night.

In 1739, King George II commanded that eight companies of foot guards be trained and added to the six existing Black Watch companies. These twelve companies would eventually be organized into a regiment of infantry referred to as The Black Watch. All soldiers would have to be native Scotsmen in order to belong to this regiment.

Blackwatch Weathered Tartan Fabric

The Black Watch soldiers originally were dressed in a dark-colored tartan kilt that is now known as the Blackwatch Weathered Tartan. Along with their dirk (knife) and broadsword, these Scottish warriors wore a jacket with traditional features such as a Papie Mor (Great Coat) or plaid draped over their shoulder as well as a variety of other accessories culminating in an authentic historical Highland military look.

In 1743 the King had the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment transferred out to the West Indies so that it could aid in aiding with his battle against another Kingdom. However, if this regiment had remained in Scotland during their absence, later taking part in a potential rebellion may have never happened as heavily armed soldiers would have been more prevalent throughout the Highlands at that time. One very successful regiment under the Black Watch family was the 73rd Highland Regiment. The Army first formed the 73rd in 1734 and it was a battalion that consisted of four companies. This second battalion was so successful in a battle that it became its own regiment in 1786 and earned the name 73rd Royal Highland Regiment. The original regiment also served in a number of conflicts including those fought on American territory, as well as South Africa and Egypt.

In 1881 the 42nd Royal Regiment and the 73rd Royal Regiment were merged to form the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) Regiment. The 42nd were known as the 1st Battalion and the 73rd were known as the 2nd Battalion. This regiment was then changed again in 1931 when it became The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment). And in 2006 the British Army went through restructuring so The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion of Royal Regiment of Scotland was formed.

Black Watch Tartan Fabric

Notably referred to as the Government 1A tartan, this classic Black Watch Tartan has been worn by the Royal Regiment of Scotland since it was officially commissioned in 1969. Essentially a soft brush of wool, our handcrafted scarf differs from its tartan origins in that it is made specifically for modern-day fashion sensibilities, making it an ideal accent piece to any ensemble!

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