Images of the Scottish Soldier circa 1650
by James Kuehl
Introduction and Bylaws
Interpretive
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Figure 1. The Captain is wearing a steel breastplate over his heavy buff leather sleeveless coat. Around his waist is tied a crimson sash which indicates his rank. Under all this he wears a linen shirt and a red coat, or cassock with the cuffs turned back to reveal the white lining. He wears Highland trews and bonnet. He carries a ballock dagger, sword and a spontoon which also indicates his rank.
Fig. 2. This figure wears a navy blue bonnet with a yellow cockade to distinguish him as a member of this unit. Since there were no real uniforms at this time, troop would be distinguished from the enemy by a common badge, or cockade. He wears a brick red cassock now popular with the English New Model Army. It has the sleeves turned back to show the white lining and is fastened shut with a series of ties rather than brass buttons. He wears trews because of the danger of his musket getting caught in the folds of a great kilt. He carries a sword, targe, an arquebus and wears the "twelve apostles" - pre-measured leather, or wooden charges. His powder flask is made of flattened cow horn. He has "liberated" a pair of bucket top boots probably of English origin.
Fig. 3. This Corporal is rather well equipped as a pikeman in the ranks. He wears a homespun linen shirt, a leather jack, the great kilt, bonnet, bag hose and one-piece leather shoes. His leather sporran holds all of his personal belongings. He armed with sword, dirk, targe and his pike. Most pikemen would have been equipped with only a pike and whatever clothes they owned.
Fig. 4. The Sergeant wears a slashed doublet under his leather jack. He wears the great kilt, bag hose and leather shoes. He wears a crimson sash with a yellow stripe down the center and carries a halberd a symbols of his rank. He carries the usual broadsword, dirk and might also carry a targe.
Fig. 5. The Ensign carries the St. Andrew's Saltire as a symbol of Scotland. It was said that if you brought St. Andrew with you into battle, St. Andrew would bring you home again. He is dressed as most officers. His clothes are a cut above the sergeant’s. He also wears a slashed doublet beneath his leather jack. He has a crimson sash that indicated his rank as an officer. He wears the great kilt and the usual compliment of Highland weaponry.
