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. Since 2022 the Association has become part of The Black Watch Regimental Trust a registered charity in Scotland (No. SC005848) which adopted the charitable aims of welfare, comradeship and memorial from the Association.

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

Dundee Memorials Funding

Within Dundee, Scotland, there are two Memorial projects relating to The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) that require substantial amounts of financial assistance in order to make them fitting Memorials to our illustrious and famous Regiment. These projects are;

Part A: The Black Watch Memorial at Powrie Brae, Emmock Road, Dundee

Part B: The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Memorial on Black Watch Parade, Dundee

For more information about these projects click here

The Black Watch Online Forum

This private Facebook group serves as a hub for all those who served in The Black Watch to come together and reconnect. In this forum, you’ll find detailed information about the upcoming reunion on 22nd June 2024 and the Iraq commemoration, including event specifics and how to get involved. More importantly, this is a space to reconnect with old comrades, share memories, and strengthen the ties of camaraderie forged over 20 years ago. Join us to keep the spirit of The Black Watch alive and vibrant.

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 (Royal Highland Regiment) and who have now left the Armed Forces. 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

DATE EVENT LOCATION
January
05-Jan-25 Fife Branch Red Hackle Day Breakfast Fife
11-Jan-25 Edinburgh, Lothians’ and Borders’ Branch Red Hackle Night BMC Club Gorgie, Edinburgh
24-Jan-25 Regimental Trust Board Meeting By Zoom Balhousie Castle
25-Jan-24 Angus Branch burns Supper Forfar Royal Hotel
31-Jan-25 Dundee Branch Red Hackle Dinner Black Watch Club, Dundee
February
01-Feb-25 Perth Branch Burns Supper Salutation Hotel, Perth
13-Feb-25 Curling Match v The Lowlanders Kinross
22-Feb-25 Dundee Branch Annual General Meeting Dundee
March
06-Mar-25 Curling Match v The Highlanders Perth
11-Mar-25 Fife Branch Rhine Crossing Dinner Kirkcaldy
21-Mar-25 Association Committee Meeting By Zoom Balhousie Castle
21-Mar-25 Highland and Lowland Brigades Curling Club Bonspiel Perth
April
07-Apr-25 Angus Branch Annual General Meeting Royal Hotel Forfar
12-Apr-25 Association Annual General Meering 11am Balhousie Castle
12-Apr-25 Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants Dining Club Dinner Salutation Hotel, Perth
25-Apr-25 Regimental Trust Board Meeting Balhousie Castle
26-Apr-25 Edinburgh, Lothians’ and Borders’ Branch Al Basrah Lunch Apex Hotel, Edinburgh
May
07-May-25 London Branch Annual General Meeting Army Museum
10-May-25 Highland Branch Aberfeldy Ladies Dinner
TBC May Not Forgotten Garden Association Garden Party London
June
TBC June Royal Hospital Chelsea Founders Day Chelsea
11-16 June 2025 St Valery Battlefield Study St Valery
16-Jun-25 Officers’ and Ladies’ Lunch Calvary & Guards Club, London
20-Jun-25 Association Committee Meeting in Person Balhousie Castle
21-Jun-25 Regimental Reunion Balhousie Castle
July
25-Jul-25 Regimental Trust Board Meeting Balhousie Castle
August
02-Aug-25 Inter Branch Games Highland Branch
September
14-Sep-25 Fife Branch Ladies Alma Lunch Kirkcaldy
26-Sep-25 Association Committee Meeting By Zoom Balhousie Castle
28-Sep-25 Aberfeldy Muster Aberfeldy
TBC September 2025 Angus branch Standard Rededication TBC
October
TBC October 2025 Dundee branch Battle of Loos Commemoration Church Service Congregational Church, Dundee
08-Oct-25 Ladies Lunch Balhousie Castle
11-Oct-25 Perth Branch Croix de Guerre Dinner Balhousie Castle
24-Oct-25 Regimental Trust Board Meeting Followed by AGM Balhousie Castle
24-Oct-25 Officers’ Gathering Dinner Balhousie Castle
TBC October 2025 Angus Branch El Alamein Dinner Royal Hotel, Forfar
November
01-Nov-25 Dundee Branch Laying of Crosses City Churches, Dundee
06-Nov-25 Dundee Branch Remembrance Service Caird Park, Dundee
07-Nov-25 Balhousie Castle Remembrance Service Balhousie Castle
08-Nov-25 Field of Remembrance Service London
09-Nov-25 National Service of Remembrance The Cenotaph,London
09-Nov-25 Dundee Branch Remembrance Service Powrie Brea, Dundee
11-Nov-25 Dundee Branch Remembrance Service City Square, Dundee
15-Nov-25 Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants Dining Club Dinner Salutation Hotel, Perth
21-Nov-25 London Branch Dinner Victory Services Club
December
01-Dec-25 Angus Branch Drinks and Widows Parcels Royal Hotel Forfar
12-Dec-25 Association Committee Meeting in Person Balhousie Castle

PATRON:

HM The King

PRESIDENT:

Councillor Bill Campbell, Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Dundee 

VICE PRESIDENTS:

Mrs Pat Sawers, Lord-Lieutenant of Angus

Mr Robert Balfour, FRICS, Lord-Lieutenant of Fife

Mr Stephen Leckie, Lord-Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross

CHAIRMAN:

Major G (Retired) A A L Watson LVO

TRUSTEE MEMBERS:

Colonel J R McElhinney

Major (Retired) C Gray

REGIMENTAL SECRETARY:

Major (Retired) T J O Carmichael | E: rs@theblackwatch.co.uk

ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY:

Anne Amos| T: 01738 623214 | E: projects@theblackwatch.co.uk

ANGUS BRANCH:

CHAIRMAN:

Major (Retired) R J W Proctor MBE

SECRETARY:

Mr Peter Tindal| E: AngusBWA@outlook.com

DUNDEE BRANCH:

CHAIRMAN:

Mr C Thomas

SECRETARY:

Mr C C Adam | E: adam8650@sky.com

EDINBURGH, LOTHIAN AND BORDERS BRANCH:

CHAIRMAN:

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) J Menzies

SECRETARY:

Major (Retired) A Stewart BEM | E: alexstewart8608@gmail.com

FIFE BRANCH:

CHAIRMAN:

Mr R M Scott JP

SECRETARY:

Mr R Scott | E: robscott778@talktalk.net 

HIGHLANDS BRANCH:

CHAIRMAN:

Mr A Beattie

SECRETARY:

Mr G T Kennedy | E: gtk61uk@yahoo.co.uk

LONDON BRANCH:

CHAIRMAN:

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) D E J Kemmis-Betty MBE DL

SECRETARY:

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) M Smith MBE | E: wx-fm@rfca.mod.uk

NEWCASTLE BRANCH:

CHAIRMAN:

Mr N Turnbull

SECRETARY:

Mr P Dodds | E: peterdodds1609@yahoo.co.uk

PERTH BRANCH:

CHAIRMAN:

Mr Sandy McDuff

SECRETARY:

Mr P McLinden | E: patmclinden@aol.com

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

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 £10 per annum and for Europe (surface and air mail) the cost is £25. Worldwide airmail costs £25 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

BW forum graphic

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.

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