Regimental Association
Our History
The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Association was founded in 1873. It was reshaped in 1919 in the aftermath of the First World War when the founding fathers established an organisation to help the thousands of men who had served in that conflict. It has stood the test of time by supporting soldiers and their families as they face the unique challenges of their Army service. The Association is a registered charity in Scotland (SC016423) and since 2022 is now part of The Black Watch Regimental Trust
About The Black Watch Association
The Association is based at Balhousie Castle in Perth, which is the spiritual home of The Black Watch. We continue to encourage comradeship and support those who have served in the Regiment and their dependants. We can assist veterans who are in need through their age, physical or mental health, disability, financial hardship or during other challenging circumstances. The charity has an extensive network of Branches and volunteers across the UK who plan and run events which help to initiate and maintain links with old comrades
How We Can Help
Financial assistance can be given when a report, prepared by SSAFA Forces Help, identifies a genuine need. Any grant given is authorised by an experienced Welfare Committee (who meet monthly) and is then paid to SSAFA Forces Help who administer the expenditure. There is also a Holiday Scheme for widows of Black Watch servicemen. Education and Training Grants can be given to soldiers who served in The Black Watch, are retired or about to retire. This type of grant can, in some cases, be given to their spouse or dependants.
How to Give
Funds to enable the Association to carry out its charitable activities are obtained through our investments and donations, made primarily through the Gift Aid Scheme. If you would like to make a donation to the Association please see our donations and sponsorship page.
How to Get in Touch
A: The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Association, Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, Perth PH1 5HR
T: 01738 623214
E: assoc@theblackwatch.co.uk
Please note that the Association office is staffed part-time. We will return your call or email as soon as we can.
More Information
| 2020 | Forecast of Events | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January | ||
| 11th | Edinburgh & Lothians Branch Red Hackle Party Night | Ex Servicemen’s Club, Leith |
| 25th | Angus Branch Burns Supper | Forfar |
| 31st | Dundee Branch Red Hackle Dinner | Dundee |
| February | ||
| 1st | Perth Branch Burns Supper | Perth |
| 3rd | Lecture Programme – Ethiopia 1941: The First Victory of the Second World War 1.30pm Lecture commences Tickets 8 |6 Friends Sarah Sherlock will speak about how, for the British and their Allies, the defeat of the Italians in 1941, in Ethiopia largely by colonial forces, was a much needed fillip when all seemed lost in North Africa. But for Ethiopians, it was the end of a 6 year war. So whose war was it? | Balhousie Castle, Perth |
| 11th | Lecture Programme | Next to Wellington: General Sir George Murray Tickets ?10 | Friends ?8 6.30pm Drinks Reception | 7.00pm Lecture commences John Harding-Edgar will tell us of his ancestor General Sir George Murray: The Story of a Scottish Soldier and Statesman, Wellington’s Quartermaster General ( From Reason to Revolution) | Balhousie Castle, Perth |
| 21st | Association Trustees Investment Committee Meeting | Perth |
| 22nd | Dundee Branch AGM | Black Watch Club, Dundee |
| March | ||
| 3rd | Friends Lecture Programme | Next to Wellington: General Sir George Murray Tickets 10 | Friends 8 6.30pm Drinks Reception | 7.00pm Lecture commences John Harding-Edgar will tell us of his ancestor General Sir George Murray: The Story of a Scottish Soldier and Statesman, Wellington?s Quartermaster General ( From Reason to Revolution) | Balhousie Castle, Perth |
| 6th | Association Trustees & Executive Committee Meeting | Balhousie Castle, Perth |
| 8th | Perth Branch AGM | Ex-servicemen’s Club, Perth |
| 20th | Fife Branch Rhine Crossing Dinner | Kirkcaldy |
| April | ||
| 6th | Angus Branch AGM | Forfar |
| London | ||
| 15th | London Branch AGM | |
| 25th | Annual General Meeting | Balhousie Castle, Perth |
| May | ||
| 9th | Edinburgh & Lothians Branch Al Basrah Lunch | Scots Guards Club |
| 9th | Service in memory of 4th & 5th Battalion, World War Two, Powrie Brae | Powrie Brae |
| 10th | Aberfeldy Muster | |
| 16th | Highland Branch Aberfeldy Dinner | Inverness |
| June | ||
| 8th | Officers and Ladies lunch | Caledonian Club, London |
| 19th | All Ranks Black Watch Association Golf Day | Muckhart Golf Club |
| 20th | 2020 Regimental Reunion | Balhousie Castle, Perth |
| August | ||
| 8th | Inter Branch Games Day | Black Watch Club, Dundee |
| 22nd | Highland Branch Annual BBQ | Inverness |
| 22nd | Families Day, Black Watch 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland | Fort George |
| TBC | London Branch Summer Lunch | London |
| September | ||
| 13th | Fife Branch Ladies Alma Lunch | Kirkcaldy |
| 19th | Perth Branch Croix de Guerre Dinner | Perth |
| 20th | Angus Branch Standard Rededication | London |
| October | ||
| 17th | Angus Branch El Alamein Dinner | Forfar |
| 30th | Association Trustees? & Executive Committee Meeting | Balhousie Castle, Perth |
| 30th | Officers Gathering Dinner | Balhousie Castle, Perth |
| November | ||
| 5th | Field of Remembrance, Westminster Abbey | London |
| 6th | Balhousie Castle Remembrance Service | Balhousie Castle, Perth |
| 8th | London Cenotaph Parade | London |
| 19th | London Branch Dinner | London |
| December | ||
| 12th | Highland Branch Christmas Party | Inverness |
Supporting those who have served our nation.
Running a Regimental Association which enjoys a worldwide membership and which has at its heart, the care of old comrades and dependants, as well as encouraging comradeship, takes time, commitment (often from volunteers) and money. That is why we are registered as a Charity in Scotland (SC 016423).
Each year the Association pays out more than £50,000 for welfare cases and other miscellaneous grants, including education and training as well as making donations to charities that support ex-Servicemen.
If you would like to support the Regimental Association and thus those who have served our nation in peace and war, please go to our charity donation site by clicking here. Alternatively you can send a cheque made out to The Black Watch Association or if you would like to leave a legacy to the Association in your will, then please contact the Association Secretary at Balhousie Castle.
A: The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Association, Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, Perth PH1 5HR
T: 01738 623214
E: bwassociation@btconnect.com
PATRON:
His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, KG KT GCB OM AK QSO PC ADC
PRESIDENT:
Mr Robert Balfour, FRICS, Lord Lieutenant of Fife
VICE PRESIDENTS:
Mr Stephen Leckie, Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross
Mrs Pat Sawers, Lord Lieutenant of Angus
Councillor Bill Campbell, Lord Lieutenant of the City of Dundee
CHAIRMAN:
Major G (Retired) A A L Watson LVO
TRUSTEE MEMBERS:
Lieutenant Colonel J R McElhinney
Major (Retired) C Gray
REGIMENTAL SECRETARY:
Major (Retired) T J O Carmichael
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY:
Heather Edment | T: 01738 623214 | E: assoc@theblackwatch.co.uk
ANGUS BRANCH:
CHAIRMAN:
Major (Retired) R J W Proctor MBE
SECRETARY:
Mr S Reid | E: steve_reid@aol.co.uk
EDINBURGH, LOTHIAN AND BORDERS BRANCH:
CHAIRMAN:
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) J Menzies
SECRETARY:
Major (Retired) A Stewart BEM | E: alexstewart8608@gmail.com
LONDON BRANCH:
CHAIRMAN:
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) D E J Kemmis-Betty MBE DL
SECRETARY:
Lieutenant Colonel M Smith MBE | E: wx-fm@rfca.mod.uk
PERTH BRANCH:
CHAIRMAN:
Captain A McEwen MBE | E: alan.mcewan244@mod.uk
SECRETARY:
Mr P McLinden
STOKE ON TRENT BRANCH:
CHAIRMAN:
Mr A Shenton | E: glenarnold@aol.com
If you served in The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, an Allied or Affiliated Regiment, a Territorial Army Infantry unit or sub unit that wore the Red Hackle or are an affiliated Cadet Officer or Adult Instructor and wish to join a Branch, then please contact the Secretary of the relevant Branch.
First published in April 1921, The Red Hackle Magazine is the Regimental Journal of The Black Watch.
With the exception of the war years (1939–45) it records the life and spirit of the Regiment in peace and war and the principal character that animates the story is that of the soldier, the “Jock”.
Contributions flood in from far and near from Regulars, Reservists, Cadets, Association and Affiliated Regiments – with the magazine featuring articles of historical interest, correspondence and obituaries of former Black Watch soldiers.
The magazine has evolved over the years and is now published in November each year. The electronic version of the magazine will be put on this page four months after its publication date. To ensure that you are sent your own copy you should subscribe to the magazine by emailing projects@theblackwatch.co.uk or contacting 01738 623214.
We also hold some back copies of the magazine and these can be ordered using the contact details shown above.
Red Hackle Downloads
- November 2021
- November 2020
- November 2019
- November 2018
- May 2018
- November 2017
- May 2017
- November 2016
- May 2016
- November 2015
- May 2015
- November 2014
- May 2014
- November 2013
- May 2013
- November 2012
- May 2012
- November 2011
- May 2011
- November 2010
The Regimental Association has had the Red Hackle Magazines (1921-2020) digitised and put on to a flash drive. There are still a few available to purchase and if you wish to order one please contact the Association office on 01738 623214 or projects@theblackwatch.co.uk.
Subscriptions
The annual subscription (including postage) for people living in the UK is £14 per annum and for Europe (surface and air mail) the cost is £30. Worldwide airmail costs £30 per annum. If you wish to subscribe to the magazine please get in touch with us or download the subscription form, complete and return as instructed.
T: 01738 623214
E: projects@theblackwatch.co.uk
The Black Watch Forum exists to allow members of the extended Black Watch family to stay in touch, exchange memories of events and people, post images and to discuss subjects of current interest. It is sponsored by The Black Watch Association and is moderated voluntarily by retired members of the Regiment.
Go to the Black Watch Forums
Roll of Honour of those who died on operations and whose names are recorded in the Scottish National War Memorial
1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)
Lieutenant John Nigel Rolls Hoare MC – 12 November 1949
(attached to 1st Bn The Seaforth Highlanders)
Lance Corporal George MacKay – 12 November 1949
(attached to 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders)
Captain Rowland Burch Tarleton – 12 April 1952
(attached to 5th Bn Malay Regiment)
Lance Corporal Robert McKee – 16 March 1951
(attached to 1st Bn The King’s Own Scottish Borderers)
Private John Nicoll – 20 September 1951
(attached to 1st Bn The King’s Own Scottish Borderers)
Private Neil Livingstone McDougall – 3 October 1951
(attached to 1st Bn The King’s Own Scottish Borderers)
Private William Kirk – 6 July 1952
Private Ian Simpson – 11 July 1952
Private James Lewis – 12 July 1952
Private Martin Hogan – 14 July 1952
Private John Braid – 23 July 1952
Lieutenant Alexander Renny-Tailyour – 25 July 1952
Private Robert Kennedy Easton – 31 July 1952
Private Robert John Gilliland – 31 July 1952
Private Jack Nixon – 1 August 1952
Private Joseph Winters – 1 August 1952
Private Neil Gunn MacLeod – 4 August 1952
(attached to 1st Bn The King’s Own Scottish Borderers)
2nd Lieutenant David Angus Stuart Nicoll – 8 August 1952
Private William Angus Baker – 23 October 1952
Private George Henry Overy – 2 November 1952
Private William Black – 4 November 1952
Private Robert Idris Evans – 4 November 1952
Private Douglas Alcorn Gillespie – 4 November 1952
Private Thomas Bryceland Gormley – 4 November 1952
Private Ronald Amat Greenshields – 4 November 1952
2nd Lieutenant James Gerard Moran McGuigan – 4 November 1952
(The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, attached)
Corporal John Sanderson Russell Reekie – 4 November 1952
Private Robert Shaw – 4 November 1952
Corporal Edward Ernest Hine – 10 November 1952
Private John Walter Patrick – 10 November 1952
Private Robert Deans – 16 November 1952
Private John Keil Farquhar – 16 November 1952
Colour Sergeant Alexander Ramsay – 17 November 1952
Lance Corporal Thomas Gatherum Philp – 18 November 1952
Lance Corporal Maurice Ernest Barden – 19 November 1952
Lance Corporal Derek Duncan Blair – 19 November 1952
Corporal Thomas Scoular Campbell – 19 November 1952
Private Richard Lynas Campbell – 19 November 1952
Corporal Hugh Cox – 19 November 1952
Private Peter Cunningham – 19 November 1952
Private Peter John Dellow – 19 November 1952
2nd Lieutenant John Rodger Kenneth Doig – 19 November 1952
(Seaforth Highlanders, attached)
Private Kenneth Edward Doneathy – 19 November 1952
Private Donald Royston Evans – 19 November 1952
Lance Corporal Malcolm Henry Findlay – 19 November 1952
Private Kenneth Ford – 19 November 1952
Private George Hadden – 19 November 1952
Private Frederick George Hyde – 19 November 1952
Private Duncan Little – 19 November 1952
Private James Muir – 19 November 1952
Lance Corporal Robert Laird Russell – 19 November 1952
Private William Robert Shaw – 19 November 1952
Private William Steven – 19 November 1952
Private Gerald Coley – 24 November 1952
Private Arthur MacKay – 11 April 1953
Lance Corporal Terrence James Hayes – 25 April 1953
(The Essex Regiment, attached)
Acting Corporal Harold James Picken – 5 May 1953
Lieutenant David Alistair Haugh – 8 May 1953
(Seaforth Highlanders, attached)
Private James Irvine – 8 May 1953
Private Robert McKee – 8 May 1953
2nd Lieutenant Alexander Campbell Rattray MC – 8 May 1953
Sergeant Albert Edward Wilson – 8 May 1953
(Seaforth Highlanders, attached)
Private Robert Armour – 21 May 1953
Private Robert Devennie – 24 May 1953
Private James Hannah Burke – 12 June 1953
Private Robert Patterson Stewart – 12 June 1953
Acting Sergeant James Thomas Anderson – 1 July 1953
Private Richard Dewar – 2 July 1953
Lance Corporal Gordon Malbon – 16 July 1953
Private Alexander Campbell Nicoll – 8 September 1953
Private John Harkins Traynor – 26 September 1953
Major Archibald John Arthur The Earl Wavell MC – 24 December 1953
Private James Ross Graham – 1 January 1955
Private David Stein – 4 March 1971
Lance Corporal Edwin Charnley – 18 November 1971
Private Mark Carnie – 19 July 1978
(Serving with 1st Battalion The Queen’s Own Highlanders)
Private Robert Donkin – 14 November 2001
Lance Corporal Barry Stephen – 24 March 2003
Private Marc Ferns – 12 August 2004
Private Kevin McHale – 29 October 2004
Sergeant Stuart Gray – 4 November 2004
Private Paul Lowe – 4 November 2004
Private Scott McArdle – 4 November 2004
Private Pita Tukutukuwaqa – 8 November 2004
On 28 March 2006 the 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) was merged into the Royal Regiment of Scotland and became The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Private Scott Kennedy – 28 June 2007
Private Jamie Kerr – 28 June 2007
Acting Sergeant Sean Binnie – 7 May 2009
Private Robert McLaren – 11 June 2009
Private Kevin Elliott – 31 August 2009
Sergeant Gus Millar – 31 August 2009
Corporal Tam Mason – 25 October 2009 (died of wounds sustained on 15 September 2009
Contact Us
The Black Watch Association, Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, Perth PH1 5HR
Please note that the Association office is staffed part-time.
