The ceremonial Colour belts worn by both ensigns are heavily ornamented, both are made of dark blue worsted cloth stitched onto Moroccan red leather. Along the length of the belt, on both outer edges, are small eye loops in Russia gold braid. The belt has a large buckle of gilded metal, lavishly ornamented with thistles and leaf foliage. There is also a slider and belt end similarly ornamented. These three things are only to be seen on the wearer’s back. Also on the rear of the belt is a crimson shield edged in gold; in the centre is ‘1st’ in gold. Below the shield, a scroll inscribed ‘Battalion’ and four intertwining scrolls inscribed THE KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS.
The two Colour belts are distinguished by different badges/symbols. The belt pictured here is the belt worn by the ensign carrying the Regimental Colour. On the shoulder is the embroidered Arms of the City of Edinburgh (not visible here) with the motto NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA. Below that are red velvet snaking scrolls with battle honours laid on gold laurel leaves. Then there is the embroidered Sphinx and EGYPT, and further battle honours on crimson velvet etc. Just above the embroidered cup for the pike (or staff) is an embroidered gold thistle.
The ceremonial Queen’s Colour belt differs in that an embroidered Royal Crest is on the shoulder, and instead of the Sphinx there is the White Horse of Hanover in solid silver, its stance is galloping with forelegs raised above the ground. The ground is in gold bullion embroidery, and below that is a black velvet scroll inscribed NEC ASPERA TERRENT.
The photo and information are supplied from Borderers in Uniform from 1689 by Hiram Dunn (2018) with the author’s kind permission.
