The private soldiers were issued with the 1908 Web Equipment, designed by Major Burrows of the Royal Irish Fusiliers so that when assembled correctly the whole collection of pouches and packs could be taken off as one piece. The small pouches at the front each held 15 rounds of .303 ammunition. The Highlander holds a SMLE (Short Magazine Lee Enfield) rifle with fixed bayonet. His kilt is protected at the front with a khaki apron but this did not protect the back of the kilt. The tunic buttoned up to the neck with a fold-down collar. The shoulder straps had brass titles and the buttons were also brass. There were four pockets, two on the breast and two hip pockets.
Both officer and Highlander wear the glengarry cap which was replaced in 1915 by the Balmoral bonnet, a large khaki beret that was soon replaced by the smaller Tam O’Shanter (Bonnet TOS). Steel helmets were issued in 1916. The spats were replaced by puttees soon after their first months in the trenches. They continued to wear the kilt throughout the war.
