BLACK WATCH men and veterans have been baffled by the appearance of pop star Michael Jackson in regimental insignia at the start of his criminal trial.

On Friday Jackson was photographed during a break in proceedings, with a Black Watch badge dangling from his waistcoat pocket.

The photograph, published in The Courier on Saturday, surprised former 4th/5th battalion (TA) pipe major Fred Duncan, of Dundee.

Mr Duncan, who served with the regiment between 1952 and 1966, said his eye was immediately drawn to the badge because it was unmistakably Black Watch insignia.

“There was Jimmy (the regiment’s nickname for the man on the badge) and the St Andrew’s Cross,” said Mr Duncan, a retired landscaper.

“It caught my eye immediately. It would be good if someone of Michael Jackson’s fame was making a statement about saving The Black Watch.

“It would be interesting to know where he got it from and why he was wearing it.”

Major Ronnie Proctor, at regimental headquarters in Perth, said he, too, had studied the photograph and was certain that Jackson was wearing a Black Watch badge.

The officer said he believes it is a gold-threaded blazer badge of the type sold at the regimental museum.

“We have checked our records and Michael Jackson did not buy it from Perth. These badges retail here for about £12.60 so we have sent Michael Jackson a price list of other regimental insignia. Interestingly, if you study the photograph you can see a British army major’s crown just above the badge.”

Major Proctor said he had closely studied the photograph and was sure it was not a Canadian Black Watch badge but a Scottish one.

“You can buy these badges from suppliers around the world but Michael Jackson’s wearing of it shows he recognises the quality of the name and badge of The Black Watch.”