This photo of Highlander Brian Taylor is taken from British Army Badges(2005) by Lt-Col Robin Hodges. The regiment was titled The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) from 1994 to 2006. In 2006 they became the 4th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland. But this photo was taken in 2004 so the uniform still retained elements of the three Highland regiments. The corps of drums were the only members of the regiment to have access to the scarlet full dress doublet, and the drums and band still wore the feather bonnet for ceremonials. The doublet has blue facings and is laced with white tape having a red crown repeated pattern, on the sleeves, back, and shoulder wings. The shoulder strap between the wing and collar can be seen to be buff, the facing colour of the Seaforths. The bugle cords, plaits and tassels are a dull mixture of blue and buff. The more distinctive yellow cords and tassels were worn in No.1A dress.
The kilt and fly suspended from behind his left shoulder are in the Cameron of Erracht tartan of the 79th Cameron Highlanders, but the sporran owes its origin more to the Gordon Highlanders. The hose are green and red check as worn by the 79th but the black buttons on the spats are to commemorate the death of Sir John Moore at Corunna, a distinction of the Gordons. The collar badges are silver Hindoostan Tigers worn by the drummers in full dress. The battle honour INDIA and the ROYAL TIGER was awarded to the 75th Regiment in 1807 to mark 19 years of hard service in India. The 75th amalgamated with the 92nd in 1881 to become the Gordon Highlanders. The youth of this Highlander would have helped him become an accomplished drummer as there was a military tradition that side drummers had to be taught at an early age when their wrists were supple.
