Honour and Tradition Two hundred years ago, these flags or Colours were carried by the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Scots, into the thick of the fighting at Waterloo. The King’s Colour and Regimental Colour represent The Royal Scots’ honour and traditions and were a rallying point in the heat of battle.

Reading the King’s Colour Look for the painted symbols and regimental battle honours: 1

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Royal cypher of King George III, surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Thistle Thistles, shamrocks and roses, emblems of Scotland, Ireland and England

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Thistle and crown

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Niagara battle honour

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Peninsula campaign honour

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Egypt campaign honour

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Waterloo battle honour

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The Battle of Waterloo The 3rd Battalion of The Royal Scots regiment fought with distinction against Napoleon Boneparte’s army. Of 624 men, 363 were killed or wounded while defeating the French at Waterloo on 18 June, 1815. Four officers and a sergeant major were killed while carrying the King’s Colour. The death grip of 16-year-old Ensign James Kennedy was so tight that both the flag and Kennedy’s body were carried together back to the British line. Above: An artist’s impression of The Royal Scots at Waterloo

The last hurrah This is the last chance to see the historic Colours of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Scots, before they are packed away forever. These Colours have survived many battles. But the centuries-old silk is now so fragile that it can only withstand this final display marking the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo. Afterwards, the Colours will be boxed and stored securely in The Royal Scots Museum.

Reading the Regimental Colour Look for the painted symbols and regimental battle honours: 3

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Royal cypher

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Thistles, shamrocks and roses

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Thistle and crown

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Niagara battle honour – war against the United States, 1812-15

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Peninsula campaign honour – war against France, 1805-14

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Egypt campaign honour – war against France, 1801

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Waterloo battle honour – war against France, 1815

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On active duty The 3rd Battalion was raised in 1804 as part of The Royal Scots, the oldest infantry regiment in the British Army. It carried these Colours throughout the bitter Iberian Peninsula campaign and the final battle against Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. In 1817, the 3rd Battalion was disbanded. In 1934, the Colours were taken from St Giles Cathedral into the care of The Royal Scots Museum, here at Edinburgh Castle. Above: Waterloo medal. Courtesy of the Museum of The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment).

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