Yep it is an old thread but seems to include some serious mis-information. I can't really help with the kilt pattern except to say that (*see corrigenda below* it is most definatley not Cameron of Erracht but McKenzie and as such it is the right tartan for HLI. It must I think be post '47 though as before then) the only unit within the regiment that wore the kilt was 5th (Glasgow Highlanders) Bn and they wore the Government Tartan aka "Black Watch" or Number 42. This is the same tartan as worn by The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) and The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.by Smudge3311
I don't know how the Gordon Highlanders came into the equation but their tartan was "Gordon", they never were part of the HLI and recruited from a completely different area of Scotland.
The Royal Scots Fusiliers (RSF) with whom the HLI were subsequently ammalgamated wore a "new" or government tartan (from 1949) which was based on Erskine but was all green and sometimes referred to as Hunting Erskine.
Cameron of Erracht has an overall appearance of oranges and browns and was worn by the Cameron Highlanders until they were joined with The Seaforth Highlanders as the Queens Own Highlanders. The QOHLDRS main tartan was McKenzie (like HLI) and the pipe band wore Cameron of Erracht. Neither of these regiments were ever part of the HLI.
The issue of tartan patterns in general and in particular which was worn by what regiment (some wore several and Royal Stuart for example was/is worn by many regiments/units in addition to the main regimental tartan EG pipers) is very complicated but the Scots take it very badly if you get it wrong as it is a matter of enormous pride.
The short answer here is that the kilt at the top of the thread is (*not*) correct for HLI post 1947 but I felt I had to put right a couple of real red herrings here.
I don't claim to be expert but during my service I was stationed alongside all the regiments of the Scots Division (they were known as the Magnificent 7 back then because there were seven of them), The Scots Guards and The Royal Scots Dragoons at one time of another so, as an Englishman with an interest in militaria and military history my life woul have been made unbearable by "The Jocks" were I not on the ball! Therefore, I learned some stuff
I hope this is helpful.
Regards
Mark
PS The wearing of tartan by the general public is fairly subjective but as a rule Royal/Hunting/Dress Stuart and Government (Black Watch) is pretty much fair game Howevr, anything else worn without family connection is just asking for trouble especially in Scotland
Edit; Corrigenda.
*Error on my part, as stated by Smudge3311 the kilt in the original post is in fact Cameron of Erracht tartan NOT McKenzie and therefore is not apprpriate for HLI. I got the patterns mixed up!
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