The hackle is a feather plume (most plumes are made of horsehair) that is attached to the headdress.
In the British Army and the armies of some Commonwealth countries the hackle is worn by some infantry regiments, especially those designated fusilier regiments and those with Scottish and Northern Irish origins. It was commonly attached to the feather bonnet worn by Highland regiments (now usually only worn by drummers, pipers and bandsmen). The colour of the hackle varies from regiment to regiment.
British Army
In the British Army, the colours of the three fusilier regiments are as follows:
Non-fusilier regiments which wear the hackle are:
There were several other fusilier regiments which have been amalgamated and no longer exist. Their colours were as follows:
Former non-fusilier regiments, now amalgamated, which also wore the hackle were:
The fictional regiment featured in the series Soldier Soldier is also a fusilier regiment:
Canadian Army
There are also several fusilier regiments in the Canadian Army which wear the hackle (the French-speaking fusilier regiments do not appear to do so):
- Princess Louise Fusiliers : French grey
- Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada : White
Scottish-influenced non-fusilier regiments which wear the hackle include:
- Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (drummers on feather bonnet only): White
- Black Watch of Canada : Red
-
Calgary Highlanders (drummers on feather bonnet only): White
- Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa : Royal blue
- Canadian Scottish Regiment (drummers on feather bonnet only): White
- Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment (feather bonnet only): White
- Lorne Scots : Primrose yellow
- Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (drummers on feather bonnet only): White
South African Army
Scottish- and Irish-influenced regiments which wear the hackle include:
Last updated: 05-23-2005 00:46:18
