A partnership spanning more than two centuries has been celebrated at a ceremony at Balhousie Castle in Perth.
The Clan MacLeod Society of Scotland presented a new pipe banner to The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland in memory of their late chieftain.
Commander of the regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Ed Fenton, and Pipe Major Richard Grisedale were given the gift by society president Ruari Halford-MacLeod on behalf of Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod, the 30th Chief.
Mr Halford-MacLeod served with 6th and 7th Battalion The Black watch during his time as a student at St Andrews University, so he also has strong ties.
It will be used by a piper of The Black Watch when the pipe band is on parade and, when not in use, it will hang in the officers’ mess at Fort George, near Inverness, where the regiment is stationed while it is in Scotland.
The banner was given to mark its association with the clan, as John MacLeod, Younger of MacLeod served in Ireland in the 1750s.
Around 30 years later, his son, Major General Norman MacLeod of MacLeod, also raised the 2nd Battalion The Black Watch, The Royal Highland Regiment during the American Revolutionary War.
These original colours are still held at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye, which has been the home of the clan chiefs for over 800 years.
Photo Phil Hannah.