The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's)

[Watchdog]

Another 1881 amalgamation. Formed from the 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) and the 78th Highland Regiment of Foot (Ross-shire Buffs), The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's) were the only regiment in the British Army with a Gaelic motto; Cuidich'n Righ, literally "help to the King" but more aptly "Help the King" in modern parlance (The Gordons motto Bydand meaning "watchful" is not Gaelic but Lowland Scots dialect).

It is the motto of the McKenzie Clan and the stags head on the cap badge is said to be an honour granted to the Clan Chieftain for saving King Alexander II of Scotland from being attacked by a wounded stag.

Officers wore a three part badge of the stags head and the motto above which was a coronet and the letter 'L' this being the cypher of Leopold the Duke of Albany (hence a coronet not a crown) in relief (3D) design.
Other ranks (enlisted) wore the stags head with a scroll bearing the motto in stamped white metal (no 1915 economy brass badge is known) whilst Warrant Officers wore the same stags head as officers but without motto or cypher and in silver plate rather than solid silver as worn by officers. The tartan patch behind the badge as worn on the TOS bonnet (Tam O' Shanter) is the main McKenzie tartan.

From 1958 - 61 the regiment wore the Highland Brigade badge and subsequently amalgamated with The Queens Own Cameron Highlanders to form The Queens Own Highlanders (Seaforths and Camerons). Latterly there was a further amalgamation with The Gordon Highlanders to become The Highlanders before they Became part of the present Royal Regiment of Scotland as 4th Battalion (The Highlanders) abbreviated as 4SCOTS.

Regards

Mark

[Jerry B]

interesting information. What date is the officers badge shown?

[Watchdog]

interesting information. What date is the officers badge shown?

Hard to say Jerry because as you know this type of thing tends to be government authorised rather than procurred by contract and especially with scottish units the badges were of quite localised manufacture, many being by a cluster of Edinburgh makers. This one is not marked which would help but based on the general age and patina I would judge WWI possibly WWII but I don't think later.

Regards

Mark

[CBH]

The officers badge is beautiful, I’m hoping to find one, would look great on a sporran.
I believe the Canadian Pictou Highlanders also wore the Stag with motto prewar, and the Seaforth Highlanders.