Black Watch Tartan

Black Watch tartan bears the name of the famous 42^nd Royal Highland Regiment, The Black Watch, the premier Highland Regiment first raised in 1729 as four independent companies of Highlanders to patrol and keep the peace within the Highlands. Their complement was increased in 1739 and the companies formed into a regiment. The Black Watch tartan is claimed to be of Campbell origin.
The 21^st Anniversary of the founding of St Cuthbert’s College was celebrated in 1936, with a new uniform of Black Watch tartan. The new uniform was unveiled at Prize Giving 1935 for the first time. The event was well recorded in Auckland newspapers including the fact that the Principal, Miss Lavinia Clouston, had seen the tartan as the uniform at Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Sydney and recommended the idea to the Trust Board.
Black Watch tartan has been worn in the College as the winter tunic and tie since 1936 and the summer uniform since 1966. At the same time as the Black watch tartan was introduced, a green hat with a tartan band, a Black watch tie and a green blazer became part of the uniform. The boarders uniform was a kilt and short navy coat.
A silk Black Watch summer tunic was worn for a few years in the 1930s.
The New Millennium uniform introduced in 2000 retained Black Watch in the up-dated winter tunic, summer top and skirt.
The tartan has been widely used since 1936 for a range of College items and memorabilia, and now forms part of the overall College branding.