The Territorial Army Battalions of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, 6 SCOTS and 7 SCOTS, have been granted their own coloured hackles.

Hackles consist of a feather plume worn behind the Regimental Badge on the Tam O’ Shanter. In everyday dress of combats and Tam O’ Shanter, the only way to identify the individual Battalions has been by the different coloured hackles. 

Until recently, the TA Battalions have opted to use the hackles of their nearest Regular Army Battalions. Now they have been granted their own colours; grey for the 6th Battalion, based in Glasgow Edinburgh and the Lowlands; and purple for the 7th Battalion, based in Perth, Tayside, Grampian and the Highlands.

Hackles are a very important part of a unit’s identity. Some of them were granted as Battle Honours to soldiers in battle in their antecedent regiments’ history and they embody a soldiers’ particular allegiance to a Battalion.

Lieutenant General Andrew Graham, The Colonel of the Regiment and it’s most senior member, said of the new hackles: “The Territorial Army members of the Regiment have asked that their respective Battalion identities should be marked by a unique hackle.

"This request does not imply a wish to separate from or reject the past - our collective pride in those who have marched and served before is unquenchable.

"The request does mark a wish to recognize the contribution, ethos and sense of belonging which characterises every Battalion as an important part of the regimental family that is the Royal Regiment of Scotland and which is essential for ensuring a vibrant present and a positive future as Scotland’s infantry regiment.”

Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Platt, Commanding Officer of 6 SCOTS said: “The introduction of a grey hackle is about reinforcing Battalion identity and as such it is a very positive development for 6 SCOTS.

"The colour is not important and deliberately bears no historical or antecedent significance; what is important is that the Battalion now has its own colour that its members can be proud to wear."

Lt Col Viscount Chelsea Commanding Officer of 7 SCOTS said: "The introduction and wearing of the purple hackle gives 7 SCOTS its own separate identity, recognising the battalion as an entity in its own right, rather than being made up of different parts.

"Being the only TA infantry Battalion in the Highlands of Scotland, and providing continual support to overseas operations, it is only fitting that we are so recognised. We will wear the new purple hackle with pride.”