The 3^rd Perthshire (Breadalbane) Rifle Volunteer Corps, four companies strong, was raised at the end of 1859, and its officers were commissioned on February 29^th1860, the major-commandant being John, 2^nd  Marquess of Breadalbane, K.T. Headquarters were at Taymouth Castle, and those of its four companies; 1^st at Kenmore, 2^nd at Aberfeldy, 3^rd at Killin and 4^th at Strathfillan. To this corps was attached, for administrative purposes, the 10^th Perthshire Rifle Volunteer Corps, of one company, with headquarters at Strathtay, raised on May 19^th 1860.

On November 12^th 1861, the 2^nd Administrative Battalion Perthshire Rifle Volunteers, with headquarters at Taymouth, was formed,  comprising the 3^rd and 10^th Perth and the 9^th Argyllshire Rifle Volunteers, the latter headquartered at Glenorchy and raised in April 1860 from the Breadalbane Estates in Argyllshire. In 1865 the 9^th Argyllshire was transferred to its own county battalion, and in 1869 the 3^rdPerthshire was reduced to two companies and split into two corps of one company each, the 3^rd (Breadalbane) at Aberfeldy and the 4^th(Breadalbane) at Killin, and at the same time the 5^th (Blairgowrie), 7^th (Coupar Angus), 9^th (Alyth) 123th (St Martins) and 14^th (Birnam) Corps were transferred to the 2^nd from the 1^st Administrative Battalion Perthshire Rifle Volunteers, and the strength of the battalion was raised to nine companies by the formation of the 20^th Corps at Pitlochry in 1869. Battalion headquarters were at the same time moved to Birnam.

In 1873 the 10^th Corps was disbanded, and in the following year the title “Perthshire Highland” was conferred upon the battalion, which in March 1880 was consolidated as the 3^rd (renumbered 2^nd in April 1880) Perthshire Highland Volunteers, with headquarters at Birnam, and eight companies letters : A Aberfeldy (previously 3^rd Corps), B Killin, detachments at Crianlarich, Lochearnhead and Kenmore (previously 4^th Corps), C Blairgowrie (previously 5^th Corps), D Coupar Angus (previously 7^th Corps), E Alyth (previously 9^th Corps), F St Fillans (previously 13^th Corps), G Birnam (previously 14^th Corps) and H Pitlochry (previously 20^th Corps).

In 1883, the Battalion adopted the uniform of dark grey doublets with scarlet collars, cuff and piping, 42^nd tartan kilts and belted plaids (shoulder plaids for officers), white sporrans with
two black tails, green and red diced hose (Black and red for officers), white spats, plain glengarries (with blackcocks’ tails for officers), and black belts. Drab service doublets and khaki spats for marching order were authorized in 1902.

By General Order 181 of December 1^st 1887, the title 5^th (Perthshire Highland) Volunteer Battalion, the Black Watch, was conferred on the battalion.

During the South African War (1900 – 1902), 94 members of the battalion served in the field, of whom 23 non commissioned officers and men joined the 1^stbattalion , Lt F.B. Buchanan-White and 31 men the 2^nd battalion, and Lt. T Ferguson and 10 men the 3^rd Volunteer Service Company of the Black Watch, the remainder serving in various other corps. Two men were wounded and three died of disease.

With the Haldane Reforms of 1908 the 5^th became the 8^th (Highland) Cyclists Battalion, losing their kilts. This enabled Captain John Wylie to form H Company the 6^th Black Watch in Aberfeldy.

In 1912, the last Colonel of the battalion, Gavin, 3^rd Marquess of Breadalbane, K.G., A.D.C., (who commanded the battalion from 17^th February 1897) had the colours placed in Kenmore Kirk.

There are commemorative plaques on the staffs of both the Queen’s Colours (the Union Flag) and the Battalion colours (the blue flag with the Union Jack at the top). The top plaque on each reads:

Presented to the parish church of Kenmore by Colonel the Marquis of Breadalbane K.G. A.D.C. The last Colonel of the Battalion. February 1912.

In addition on the Queen’s colours is the inscription :-

5^th V.B.R.H.

Names of those the Battalion lost in South African War 1899 & 1900

Private R Small  A Coy Aberfeldy

Private P McDiarmid  B Coy 1901-02

Private A Petrie  C Coy 1901-02

And on the Battalion colours is the inscription :-

5^th V.B.R.H.

Members of those the Battalion got wounded

Private D McKillop  B Coy

Private D Fraser  F Coy