Black Watch

Black Watch is a dark tartan of blue, green, and black, also known as the Government or 42nd sett. It was worn by the independent Highland companies raised to police the Scottish Highlands from 1725 and was carried by the Black Watch regiment formed in 1739. Because it is tied to no single clan, it is a universal tartan that anyone may wear.

Named for

Named for the dark colors of the cloth and the companies' duty to watch over the Highlands. In Gaelic, Am Freiceadan Dubh, the Black Watch.

In the record

1725Independent Highland companies were raised to watch over the Highlands, wearing the dark sett.
1739The companies were consolidated into the regiment known as the Black Watch.