The Black Watch was an elite military Regiment whose history stretches back almost three centuries. This website aims to provide comprehensive information on everything 'Black Watch' from the history of the Regiment to its current activities and exists to celebrate and sustain that unique heritage and tradition.
Regimental Christmas card
From the exterior, this Christmas card is a fine example of the Regimental Christmas card still used today.
This card probably dates from the 1930s. The Regimental badge is central to the design.
The two images displayed inside the card illustrate its unique nature.
The image on the left, titled "42nd Royal Highlanders in Edinburgh Castle", is taken from a print dated to 1848.
The image on the right, titled "2nd Bn. The Black Watch in Edinburgh Castle", is taken from a photograph dated to 1936.
The differences between the two images are interesting to note: the Castle, the uniforms worn by the soldiers, and the townscape of Edinburgh. The placement of notable buildings and landscape features in the background shows that some artistic licence has been used in the 1848 print.
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The history of the First World War (1914 – 1918) is brought to life by personal reminiscences, film and objects and stand as a testimony to over 8000 Black Watch men who lost their lives. They were truly “the lost generation”.