The mess dress jacket of Lt. Col. William Hendrie, VD. Lt. Col. Hendrie was on original member of the 48th Highlanders, joining in 1891. He served from 1891 to 1913 and was Commanding Officer from 1911 –  1913.

The jacket is scarlet with Royal Blue collar and cuffs plus gold braid signifying a Senior Officer (Major or higher). Gold epaulettes with Lt. Col. rank insignia and brass buttons on the sleeves and epaulettes. It is fastened at the neck, opening below which accommodates the sporran worn with the kilt.  Mess dress uniform is the most-formal or semi-formal (depending on country) type of uniform used by military personnel, police personnel and other public uniformed services members for certain ceremonies, receptions, and celebrations, in messes or on private occasions. It frequently consists of a mess jacket, trousers or kilt, white dress shirt, often with standing collar and bow tie, along with orders and medals insignia.