Charles Mackay was known as ‘The Pip’ in the 79th Cameron Highlanders. The original of this photo, taken c1850 by David Octavius Hill was labelled with his name, rank and nickname. Mackay wears the jacket as worn by the rank and file. It is red with white lace button-hole loops ranging across his chest, in pairs. The white metal buttons are not visible in the photo. The cuffs, collar and shoulder straps are dark green, the wings are red with white lace stripes and large white worsted crescents. He has a plain white shoulder-belt which has a black leather ammunition pouch, not shown here. The white waist-belt has a bayonet suspended on his left hip. He wears a kilt and a fly plaid attached to the back of his left shoulder. The sporran is plain smooth brass with LXXIX in the centre. He holds a pair of white gloves and his glengarry cap has the regimental badge in white metal, with 79 beneath.
