
Memorial details
- Memorial type
- Serviceman / Servicewoman
- District
- Perth And Kinross
- Town
- Aberfeldy
- County
- Tayside
- Country
- Scotland
- Commemoration
- Regimental Memorials
- Maker
- MR WILLIAM BIRNIE RHIND RSA (Designer)
Gow and Dewar, builders in Aberfeld supervised erection. (Builder) - Ceremony
- Unveiled
Date: 12 November 1887
Attended by: Gavin Campbell, 7th Earl, and 3rd Marquis, of Breadalbane
- Unveiled
- Lost
- Not lost
- WM Reference
- 44786
Support IWM
Any gift we receive makes a vital contribution to our ongoing work, from conserving our collection to supporting our public programme.
Current location
Grassed area off the B846 Road that goes across the River Tay via the (General) Wade Bridge
Taybridge Drive
Aberfeldy
Perth And Kinross
Tayside
PH15 2BY
Scotland
OS Grid Ref: NN 85166 49233
Denomination: Undefined
- Description
- Figure of a Black Watch soldier on a stone cairn, with a metal explanatory plaque below
- Inscription
- Tablet on the Cairn-THIS CAIRN/IS ERECTED BY / GRATEFUL AND ADMIRING COUNTRYMEN / IN COMMEMORATION / OF THE ASSEMBLING TOGETHER AT TAYBRIDGE / IN OCTOBER 1739 / OF THE SIX INDEPANDANT [sic] COMPANIES /(AFTERWARDS INCREASED TO TEN / OF THE "FREISEADAN DUBH" OR BLACK WATCH / WHO AFTER SERVING / IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE HIGHLANDS / WERE EMBODIED INTO A REGIMENT / DESIGNATED THE 43RD AND AFTERWARDS / THE 42ND ROYAL HIGHLANDERS / WHOSE FIRST MUSTER / TOOK PLACE IN MAY 1740 NEAR TAYBRIDGE / AND ALSO IN RECOGNITION / OF THE VALOUR AND PATRIOTISM / WHICH HAVE EVER SINCE DISTINGUISHED / THE SOLDIERS OF THIS CORPS / DURING ITS ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER IN MANY LANDS / A.D. 1887 A separate tablet - ON 5TH SEPTEMBER 1970 / THE FREEDOM OF THE BURGH OF ABERFELDY /WAS CONFERRED UPON THE BLACK WATCH / THIS TABLET WAS PLACED HERE BY THE REGIMENT / IN GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE HONOUR Another separate tablet - 1887 / THE YEAR OF THE JUBILEE OF/QUEEN VICTORIA / THIS SITE / WAS KINDLY GRANTED BY / THE MOST NOBLE / GAVIN/MARQUIS OF BREADALBANE Explanatory Plaque-THE BLACK WATCH MEMORIAL / THE REGIMENT / THE 'HIGHLAND WATCH' (OR SIMPLY 'THE WATCH' WAS ESTABLISHED FOLLOWING THE ISSUE OF / COMMISSIONS FROM KING CHARLES II IN 1667 FOR CERTAIN CLAN CHIEFS TO RAISE INDEPENDENT / COMPANIES 'TO BE A CONSTANT GUARD FOR SECURING THE PEACE IN THE HIGHLANDS' AND 'TI WATCH UPON THE BRAES' / THE DARK TARTANS WORN BY THE MEN OF THESE COMPANIES TO DISTINGUISH THEM FROM THE / 'RED SOLDIERS' LED TO THEM BECOMING KNOWN AS FREICEADAN DUBH OF THE 'THE BLACK WATCH' / THISE COMPANIES DISBANDED IN 1717 AND STARTED UP AGAIN IN 1725. / STARTING OUT AS THE 43RD REGIMENT OF THE LINE IT BECAME THE 42ND HIGHLNAD REGIMENT IN 1749 / ON THE REDUCTION OF THE ORIGINAL 42ND REGIMENT / IN 1970 THE REGIMENT WAS GIVEN THE FREEDOM OF THE BURGH OF ABERFEIDY / THE MONUMENT / THE BLACK WATCH MEMORIAL WAS UNVIELED ON THE 14TH NOVEMBER 1887 BY GAVIN-MARQUIS OF BREADALBANE /IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SET UP ON THE ACTUAL SITE OF THE ORIGINAL 'MUSTER' IN 1740 ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RIVER. / HOWEVER THAT AREA IS SUBJECT TO FLOODING AND THE 'NEAREST PRACTICABLE SITE' WAS CHOSEN INSTEAD. /THE MONUMENT-DEPICTING A SOLDIER WEARING THE OLD REGIMENTAL UNIFORM COST ABOUT £500 (RAISED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION) /IN 1910 LIGHTNING SPLIT THE STRUCTURE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. THE REPAIRS AND INSTALLATION OF A LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR COST £200.
- Inscription legible?
- yes
- Commemorations
- Regimental Memorials
Total names on memorial: 0
Served and returned: 0
Died: 0
Exact count: yes
Information shown: Undefined
Order of information: Undefined
- Regimental Memorials
- Components
- Figure
Measurements: Undefined
Materials: Stone - Cairn
Measurements: height 70FT
Materials: Stone - Plaque
Measurements: Undefined
Materials: Metal - Tablet
Measurements: Undefined
Materials: Stone - Tablet
Measurements: Undefined
Materials: Stone - Tablet
Measurements: Undefined
Materials: Stone
- Figure
- Condition
- THE BLACK WATCH MONUMENT
- WMO ID: 145883
- Condition: Fair [last updated on 24-04-2018]
- Help update these details if the condition is wrong
- History
- June 1910- THE MEMORIAL WAS HIT BY LIGHTNING CAUSING THE MEMORIAL TO SPLIT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. THE MEMORIAL WAS REPAIRED AND FITTED WITH A LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR AT THE COST OF £200.
- Costs
Site: NIL
Comments: Site given by the Marquis of Breadalbane
Memorial: £500- Trust fund/Scholarship
- No
Purpose: Unknown or N/A - Reference
- warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/viewtopic.php?t=1538&mforum=warmemscot
- Carter Postcard Collection
- 1833. MONUMENTS TO THE BLACK WATCH AT ABERFELDY PERTHSHIRE : www.jstor.org/stable/44231495 Author(s): Ian Davidson Source: Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Vol. 85, No. 343 (Autumn2007), pp. 256-258 Published by: Society for Army Historical Research
- poem to the memorial by the legendary William McGonagall: The Black Watch Memorial Ye Sons of Mars, it gives me great content To think there has been erected a handsome monument In memory of the Black Watch, which is magnificent to see, Where they first were embodied at Aberfeldy. And as a Highland regiment they are worthy of what has been done for them, Because a more courageous regiment we cannot find of men Who have bravely fought and bled in defence of their country, Especially in the Ruusian War and Soudan War they made their enemies flee. The monument I hope will stand secure for many a long day, And may the people of Aberfeldy always feel gay; As they gaze upon the beautiful Black Watch monument, I hope they will think of the brave soldiers and feel content. 'Twas in the year of 1887, and on Saturday the 12th of November, Which the people of Aberfeldy and elsewhere will remember, Who came all the way from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Dundee, Besides the Pitlochry Volunteers headed the procession right manfully. And the Perthshire Rifies joined the procession with their pipe band, Then followed a detachment of the 42nd Highlanders so grand, Under the command of Lieutenant McCleod, Whose duty if was to represent the regiment of which he felt proud. The pipe band of the Glasgow Highlanders also were there, And Taymouth Brass Band, which discoursed sweet music I do declare; Also military officers and the magistrates of Aberfeldy, While in the rear came the members of Committee. There were also Freemasons, Foresters, all in a row, And wearing their distinctive regalias, which made a great show; And the processionists were formed into three sides of a square Around the monument, while the music of the bands did rend the air. The noble Marquis of Breadalbane arrived on the ground at 1.30, Escorted by a guard of honour and his pipe band; Then the bands struck up, and the pipes were set a humming, And all with one accord played up the "Campbell's are Coming." Then his Lordship ascended a platform on the north side of the monument, And the bands played cheerfully till their breath was almost spent; Then his Lordship received three ringing cheers from the people there, Then he requested the Rev. John McLean to open the proceedings with prayer. And after the prayer, Major Menzies stepped forward And said, "Ladies and gentlemen, for the Black Watch I have great regard; And the duty I have to perform gives me great content, And that is to ask the noble Marquis to unveil this monument." Then he handed the noble Marquis a Lochaber axe to unveil the Monument, And the Marquis said, "Sir, to your request I most willingly consent." Then he unveiled the monument in memory of the gallant Forty-twa, While the bands played up the "Highland Laddie" as loud as they could blaw. And when the bands ceased playing the noble Marquis said, "This monument I declare is very elegantly made, And its bold style is quite in keeping with the country I find, And the Committee were fortunate in obtaining so able a designer as Mr. Rhind." Then, turning to the Chief Magistrate of Aberfeldy, He said, "Sir, I have been requested by the Committee To give you the deed conveying the monument to your care, With the feu-charter of the ground, therefore, sir, I'd have you beware." Then the Chief Magistrate Forbes to Lord Breadalbane said, "My noble Lord, I accept the charge, and you needn't be afraid. Really it gives me much pleasure in accepting as I now do from thee This Memorial, along with the deeds, on behalf of Aberfeldy." Then Major Menzies proposed three cheers for the burgh of Aberfeldy, And three cheers were given right heartily. Then the Taymouth Band played "God Save the Queen," Then the processionists marched to the New Public School, happy and serene. Then there was a banquet held in the school, At which three hundred sat down and ate till they were full; And Lord Breadalbane presided, and had on his right, Magistrates, Colonels, and Provosts, a most beautiful sight. And the toast of "The Queen," "Prince and Princess of Wales," were given, Wishing them prosperity while they are living; Then the noble Chairman proposed "The Army, Navy and Volunteers," Which was loudly responded to with three loud cheers. Then Colonel Smith, of the Highland Volunteers, from Bonnie Dundee Replied for the Volunteers right manfully. Then the noble Chairman said, "The toast I have now to propose Is long life and prosperity to the Royal Highlanders in spite of their foes." Then the toast was drunk with Highland honours and hearts While Pipe-Major McDougall played "The 42nd March at Waterloo." So ended the proceedings in honour of the Black Watch, the bravest of men, And the company with one accord sung the National Anthem. William Topaz McGonagall
- Courier & Advertiser 23 Jun 2010- 100 years ago Column- During a sharp thunderstorm which passed over Aberfeldy about three o'clock yesterday afternoon , The Black Watch Monument was struck by lightning and seriously damaged . The large stones which formed the south corner of the cairn have been wrenched asunder adn several of them split . The 10 foot high figure on top has also been damaged .
- Glasgow Herald - Monday 14 November 1887 www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000060/18871114/029/0009 BLACK WATCH MEMORIAL AT ABERFELDY UNVEILING CEREMONY BY MARQUIS OF BREADALBANE (transcriptions of inscriptions on plaques)
- The Scotsman - Monday 14 November 1887 www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000540/18871114/258/0008 BLACK WATCH MEMORIAL AT ABERFELDY UNVEILING CEREMONY (transcription of the inscriptions on plaques)
This record comprises all information held by IWM’s War Memorials Register for this memorial. Where we hold a names list for the memorial, this information will be displayed on the memorial record. Please check back as we are adding more names to the database.
This information is made available under a Creative Commons BY-NC licence.
This means you may reuse it for non-commercial purposes only and must attribute it to us using the following statement:
© WMR-44786
For queries, please contact [email protected].