Black Watch Bonnet

The Highland bonnet shown here was worn at the Battle of the Alma, Crimean War, by Captain Sir Peter Halkett, 42nd Highland Regiment of Foot.  The 42nd is more commonly known as The Black Watch.

The officer’s bonnet is cocked and feathered with six black ostrich feathers, ten inches deep, according to regulations.  The skull is blue cloth fastened at the back with black ribbons.  It has a check band of the regimental pattern, and a silver regimental badge bearing the name ‘Egypt’, surmounted by a Sphinx on the left side.  There is a scarlet vulture feather, eight inches long, above the badge on the left side.  The black ribbons can be seen, but a black leather chin-strap is missing.

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This artifact was photographed courtesy of The Black Watch Museum, Perth, Scotland.