Argyll & Sutherland voided, tail up

[cbuehler]

Well, there is one example at least. I have seen a photo from the same period as the one shown above of a soldier in full dress in Ceylon, but his white helmet has no badge at all. As mentioned, the fitting is unknown. Certainly the badge was not worn on the Khaki FSH in the field, as the Gaels wore variations of shoulder titles or collar badges with various backings for this purpose ever since the Boer War and onwards.
Once the Wolseley pattern helmet came into service, I believe the badge was phased out altogether, with only the various flashes and later even a hackle.

CB

[Frank Kelley]

Well, I simply wondered exactly where that information actually came from, not something that I have ever heard before, but, certainly from memory it was Princess Louise herself who actually designed the crest which was subsequently used as their badge, so I suppose if anyone had thought of a Scottish wildcat, let alone seen one, it could certainly have been her, given that families particular love of the highlands.
Perhaps, no thought went in to it any more than merely a boar to represent Argyll and a cat, not a particular one, to represent Sutherland.

Then again, as you point out, a stray wandering past Sterling Castle might just have easily been the inspiration.

Originally Posted by magpie

Yes, it could be a tabby.