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{{Short description|Military units with some form of connection to Scotland}}
A '''Scottish regiment''' is any [[regiment]] (or similar military unit) that at some time in its history has or had a name that refered to [[Scotland]] or some part, thereof, and adopted items of [[Scottish Highlands|Highland]] [[Scottish apparel]]. These regiments were invariably a product of the [[British Empire]], either directly serving the [[United Kingdom]], serving as [[colonial]] troops, or later as part of [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] country military establishments. Traditionally, Scottish regiments cultivate a reputation of exceptional fierceness in combat and are often given [[romantic]] portrayals in popular media.
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=February 2011}}
[[File:ScotsGreys.jpg|thumb|250px|The [[Royal Scots Greys]] and [[92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot|92nd Regiment of Foot]], two Scottish regiments of the [[British Army]], at the [[Battle of Waterloo]]]]


'''Scottish regiments''' are [[Military organization#Commands, formations, and units|military units]] which at some point during their existence have had a form of connection with [[Scotland]]. Though the [[military history of Scotland]] dates back to the era of [[classical antiquity]], the first organised Scottish military units were formed in the [[Middle Ages]], mostly to serve in the [[Anglo-Scottish Wars]] or the [[Hundred Years' War]]. Numerous Scottish units also fought in the [[Wars of the Three Kingdoms]], and during the 1660 [[Stuart Restoration]] the [[Scots Army]] was established as the army of the [[Kingdom of Scotland]].
These regiments are also known as "Highland regiments" or "Highland Scottish/Scot/Scots regiments". Their "Scottishness" is not necessarily due to recruitment in Scotland nor any proportion of members of Scottish ancestry. Within Scotland, itself, regiments of the [[Scottish Lowlands]] did not adopt this "Scottish" military character until the late [[Victorian Era]].


As a result of the [[Acts of Union 1707]], the Scots Army was merged with the [[English Army]] to form the [[British Army]], which contained numerous prominent Scottish regiments. Several Scottish regiments were also raised by the armies of the [[British Empire]], including the [[Australian Army]], [[Canadian Army]] and [[South African Army]]. Two [[Union Army]] regiments which served in the [[American Civil War]] also cultivated a "Scottish" identity. Scottish regiments often adopt elements of the [[culture of Scotland]], including [[bagpipe]]s, [[kilt]]s, [[feather bonnet]]s and the [[Glengarry]].
[[Category:Scottish regiment]]

{{Europe-mil-stub}}
==History==
===Lowland regiments===
These generally pre-date the more widely known Highland regiments (see below). The senior Lowland regiment was the [[Royal Scots|Royal Scots (the Royal Regiment)]] which dates from 1633. [[Royal Scots Fusiliers|The Royal Scots Fusiliers]] and [[King's Own Scottish Borderers|the King's Own Scottish Borderers]] were subsequently raised in 1678 and 1689 respectively. Throughout the 17th, 18th and most of the 19th centuries these Scottish regiments served widely and with distinction. They did not, however, differ significantly in appearance or public perception from the bulk of the line infantry of the British Army. In 1881, the introduction of the Cardwell system of reforms provided the opportunity to adopt a modified form of Scottish dress for the Lowland regiments. Comprising doublets and tartan [[trews]] this gave the Lowlanders a distinctive identity, separate from their English, Welsh, Irish and Highland counterparts.<ref>{{cite book |first=W. Y. |last=Carman |pages=146, 152 |title=British Military Uniforms from Contemporary Pictures |publisher=Leonard Hill |location=London |date=1957}}</ref> At the same time, the absence of kilts (except for pipers) and the substitution of Kilmarnock bonnets for feather bonnets prevented confusion between Lowlanders and their Highland counterparts. [[The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)]] was created at the same time from the merging of two existing numbered regiments.<ref>{{cite book |first1=R. Money |last1=Barnes |first2=C. Kennedy |last2=Allen |title=The Uniforms & History of the Scottish Regiments |page=282 |publisher=Sphere Books |date=1972 |orig-year=1956}}</ref>

===Highland regiments===<!-- This section is linked from [[Bagpipes]] -->
{{Anchor|Highland Regiments|reason=Old, over-capitalised section name, which has incoming links to it.}}
[[File:Highland Soldiers.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Depiction of a Highland soldier in 1801.]]
The original Highland regiments were raised in the 18th century with the object of recruiting rank and file solely from the [[Scottish Highlands]]. However, due to the Highlands becoming extensively depopulated through the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Highland regiments of the [[British Army]] have witnessed a long-term decline in the proportion of recruits from the Highlands and have long recruited many Lowland Scots and others. The major 20th century exceptions to this rule were the First and Second World Wars, when many Highland men joined up. Around the time that the first Highland regiments were raised the Highlands had recently been a hotbed for several revolts against the establishment, namely the Jacobite Rebellions, so the loyalties of the Highlanders were often deemed suspect in the early history of the Highland regiments.

The first Highland regiment, the [[Black Watch]], was originally raised from clans openly loyal to the status quo in order for the government to better police the Highlands, which were deemed to be both rebellious and lawless by the contemporary British establishment. However, due to a pressing need for personnel in North America during the [[Seven Years' War]], [[William Pitt the elder|William Pitt the Elder]] made the decision to raise new Highland regiments to fight in this global conflict. The war ended in victory and among other things, [[British North America|Canada]] was secured as a part of the [[British Empire]], while the [[British East India Company]]'s position in India was consolidated and expanded, both at the expense of the [[Kingdom of France|French]]. These Highland regiments were disbanded after the war, but other Highland regiments were raised later and, like the rest of the British Army, saw service in various wars including in the [[Napoleonic Wars]].

[[File:Robert Gibb - The Thin Red Line.jpg|thumb|[[The Thin Red Line (painting)|Depiction]] of [[The Thin Red Line (Battle of Balaclava)|The Thin Red Line]] at the [[Battle of Balaclava]]. Highland regiments played a conspicuous role in conflicts throughout the [[Victorian era]].]]
By the Victorian era, the loyalty of the Highlanders was no longer suspect. [[Queen Victoria]] had a personal interest in things Scottish, in particular relating to the Highlands. In addition, Highland regiments had played a conspicuous role in such Victorian conflicts as the [[Crimean War]] and the putting down of the [[Indian Mutiny]]. The Highland regiments earned a reputation which influenced the mindset of those Scottish regiments which were Lowland in origin. This resulted in the wearing of tartan by Lowland regiments which had previously worn uniforms not clearly distinguishable from their Irish, Welsh and English counterparts. In the case of the [[Highland Light Infantry]], the distinction between Highlanders and Lowlanders was slightly blurred: although classified as a non-kilted Highland regiment it was recruited from Glasgow in Lowland Scotland and bore the title of "City of Glasgow Regiment".

Scottish [[Great Highland Bagpipe|bagpipes]] have been adopted in a number of countries, largely in imitation of the pipers of Highland regiments which served throughout the British Empire. Highland regiments were raised in a number of Commonwealth armies, often adopting formal honorary affiliations with Scottish regiments of the British Army.

==Scottish regiments in the United Kingdom==
===Current regiments in the British Army===
[[File:SCOTS BAND 081 OUT.jpg|thumb|Members of the Highland Band of the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]] performing at [[Gibraltar]] in 2013.]]
{{col div}}
*[[Royal Scots Dragoon Guards]]
*[[Scots Guards]]
*[[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]
*[[19th Regiment Royal Artillery]]
*[[105th Regiment Royal Artillery]]
*[[32 (Scottish) Signal Regiment|32 Signal Regiment]]
*[[154 (Scottish) Regiment RLC]]
*G ([[Battle of Messines (1917)|Messines]]) Company, [[London Guards]] (currently the reserve company of the Scots Guards)
*[[51st Highland Volunteers]]
*[[52nd Lowland Volunteers]]
{{col div end}}
Additionally, the British Army also operate the [[Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry]], consisting of:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/28480.aspx | title=The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry | publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|MOD]] | access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref>
{{col div}}
*A ([[Ayrshire (Earl of Carrick's Own) Yeomanry]]) Squadron in Ayr<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/35836.aspx | title=A (Ayrshire (EOCO) Yeomanry) Sqn | publisher=MOD | access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref>
*B ([[North Irish Horse]]) Squadron in Belfast and Coleraine<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/35837.aspx | title=B (North Irish Horse) Sqn | publisher=MOD | access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref>
*C ([[Fife and Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish Horse]]) Squadron in Cupar<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/35806.aspx | title=C (FFY/SH) Sqn | publisher=MOD | access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref>
*E ([[Lothians and Border Yeomanry]]) Squadron in Edinburgh<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/35835.aspx | title=E (Lothians and Border Yeomanry) Sqn | publisher=MOD | access-date=6 November 2015}}</ref>
{{col div end}}

===Former regiments in the British Army===
[[File:Black Watch firing rifle grenade in 1917.jpg|thumb|A member of the [[Black Watch]] fires a rifle grenade in 1917. In 2006, the Black Watch was reorganized into a battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.]]
The following units were formerly a part of the British Army's [[Highland Brigade (United Kingdom)|Highland Brigade]]. The brigade was amalgamated into the [[Scottish Division]] in 1968.
{{col div}}
*[[Black Watch|The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)]] (1725–2006)
*[[Highland Light Infantry|The Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment)]] (1881–1959)
*[[Seaforth Highlanders|The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's)]] (1881–1961)
*[[Gordon Highlanders|The Gordon Highlanders]] (1881–1994)
*[[Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders|The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders]] (1793–1961)
*[[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders|The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)]] (1881–2006)
*[[Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)|The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)]] (1994–2006)
{{col div end}}
The following units were formerly a part of the British Army's [[Lowland Brigade (United Kingdom)|Lowland Brigade]]. The brigade was amalgamated into the Scottish Division in 1968.
{{col div}}
*[[Royal Scots|The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)]] (1633–2006)
*[[Royal Scots Fusiliers|The Royal Scots Fusiliers]] (1678–1959)
*[[King's Own Scottish Borderers|The King's Own Scottish Borderers]] (1689–2006)
*[[Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)|The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)]] (1881–1968)
{{col div end}}
Former yeomanry of Scotland includes:
{{col div}}
*[[Ayrshire (Earl of Carrick's Own) Yeomanry]]
*[[Lothians and Border Horse]]
*[[Lanarkshire Yeomanry]]
*[[Queen's Own Royal Glasgow Yeomanry]]
*[[Fife and Forfar Yeomanry]]
*[[Lovat Scouts]]
*[[Scottish Horse]]
*[[Fife and Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish Horse]]
*[[Queen's Own Lowland Yeomanry]]
*[[Scottish Yeomanry]]
{{col div end}}

===Private regiment===
The [[Atholl Highlanders]] is a ceremonial Scottish regiment which not part of the [[British Army]] but under the command of the [[Duke of Atholl]], based at [[Blair Castle]]. It was presented with [[Military colours, standards and guidons|colours]] by [[Queen Victoria]] in 1844, giving the regiment official status.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/queen-victoria-fascinating-royal-story-8058071|title=Queen Victoria and the fascinating royal story behind the Duke of Atholl's private army revealed|publisher=Daily Record|date=26 May 2016|access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref> It is the only legal [[private army]] in Europe.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-john-murray-11th-duke-of-atholl-retired-south-african-surveyor-who-inherited-one-of-scotland-s-most-ancient-titles-1-2304357/amp|title=John Murray, 11th Duke of Atholl, retired South African surveyor who inherited one of Scotland's most ancient titles|publisher=The Scotsman|date=19 May 2012}}</ref>

==Scottish regiments in other armies==

=== Australia ===

====Current regiments====
[[File:5-6 RVR ANZAC Day 2008.JPG|thumb|The [[5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment]] is one of five Scottish battalions presently operating in the [[Australian Army]].]]
There are presently five Scottish "Kilted Companies" in the [[Australian Army Reserve]]. They include:
* A Company, [[2nd/17th Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment]] (Black Watch)
* B Company, [[5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment]] (Gordon Highlanders)
* A Company, 10th/27th Battalion, [[Royal South Australia Regiment]] (Mackenzie Seaforth Highlanders)
* B Company, [[16th Battalion, Royal Western Australia Regiment]] (Cameron Highlanders)
* B Company, [[41st Battalion, Royal New South Wales Regiment]] (Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders)<ref name=regts>{{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/regiments/rgtscot.htm |title=Register and Index of Scottish Regiments |publisher=Regiments.org (archived) |access-date=6 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011053637/http://regiments.org/regiments/rgtscot.htm |archive-date=11 October 2007}}</ref>

====Former regiments====
*[[30th Battalion (Australia)|30th Battalion (The New South Wales Scottish Regiment)]] (1915–1919; 1921–1930; 1935–1946; 1948–1960)
*[[61st Battalion (Australia)|61st Battalion (The Queensland Cameron Highlanders)]].<ref name=regts/> (1938–1946)

=== British India ===
The [[Auxiliary Force (India)|Auxiliary Force]] maintained one Scottish regiment, the [[Calcutta Scottish]], from 1914 to 1947.

===Canada===
{{main|Canadian-Scottish regiment}}

==== Current regiments ====
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Flood2013 137 Calgary Highlanders Calgary Flood 2013.jpg
| width1 = 220
| caption1 = Members of the [[Calgary Highlanders]] assist in flood relief efforts during the [[2013 Alberta floods]]
| width2 = 220
| image2 = Remembrance Day 2017 in Ottawa Canada 13.jpg
| caption2 = Members of the [[Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa]] march during the 2017 [[Remembrance Day]] parade
}}
There are 16 Canadian-Scottish infantry regiments, and one Canadian-Scottish artillery regiment in Canada's [[Primary Reserve#Army Reserve (The Militia)|Primary Reserve]]. The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada is the senior Canadian-Scottish infantry regiment of the [[Canadian Army]].

Canadian-Scottish regiments in the Canadian Army Reserve:
{{col div}}
* [[42nd Field Artillery Regiment (Lanark and Renfrew Scottish), RCA]]
* [[48th Highlanders of Canada]]
* [[The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise's)]]
* [[The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada]]
* [[The Calgary Highlanders]]
* [[The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh's Own)]]
* [[The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)]]
* [[The Essex and Kent Scottish]]
* [[The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment]]
* [[The Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)]]
* [[The Cape Breton Highlanders]]
* [[The Nova Scotia Highlanders]]
* [[The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada]]
* [[The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada]]
* [[The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada]]
* [[The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders]]
* [[The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own)]]
{{col div end}}

====Supplementary Order of Battle====
* [[The Perth Regiment]] (1866–1965)

==== Former regiments ====
{{col div}}
* [[The 13th Scottish Light Dragoons|13th Scottish Light Dragoons]] (1866- 1936)
* [[The Argyll Light Infantry]] (1863–1954)
*[[The Lorne Rifles (Scottish)]] (1866–1936)
* [[The Essex Scottish Regiment]] (1885–1954)
* [[The Highland Light Infantry of Canada]] (1886–1954, 1957–1965)
* [[The Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment]] (1866–1946, 1959–1992)
*[[50th Regiment (Gordon Highlanders of Canada)]] (1913–1920)
* [[The New Brunswick Scottish]] (1946–1954)
*[[The Pictou Highlanders]] (1871- 1954)
* [[The North Nova Scotia Highlanders]] (1936–1954)
* [[The Prince Edward Island Highlanders]] (1875–1946)
* [[The Cumberland Highlanders]] (1871–1936)
* [[Scots Fusiliers of Canada|The Scots Fusiliers of Canada]] (1914–1965)
{{col div end}}

===New Zealand===
The [[New Zealand Army]] formerly included the [[New Zealand Scottish Regiment]]. Initially raised as an infantry regiment in January 1939, it was later converted into an armoured unit of the [[Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps]]. The unit was formally disbanded on 16 April 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/latest-news/april-2016/laying-up-of-the-new-zealand-scottish-regiment-colours|title=Laying up of the New Zealand Scottish Regiment colours|publisher=Dunedin City Council|date=8 April 2016|access-date=29 October 2018}}</ref>

===South Africa===

==== Current regiments ====
The [[South African Army]] has maintained several Scottish regiments with the [[South African Army Infantry Formation]]. All regiments are [[military reserve|reserve units]] of the South African Army. In 2019, a number of reserve units, including the Scottish regiments, were renamed in an effort to better reflect "the military traditions and history of indigenous African military formations".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/new-reserve-force-unit-names/|title=New Reserve Force unit names|website=www.defenceweb.co.za|publisher=defenceWeb|date=7 August 2019|access-date=9 January 2020}}</ref> These regiments include:
{{col div}}
* [[Chief Makhanda Regiment]] (First City Regiment)
* [[Cape Town Highlanders Regiment]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/names-of-three-of-four-cape-town-army-reserve-force-units-changed/ | title=Names of three of four Cape Town Army Reserve Force units changed | date=30 June 2022 }}</ref>
* [[Solomon Mahlangu Regiment]] (Transvaal Scottish Regiment)
* [[Bambatha Rifles]] (Witwatersrand Rifles)
{{col div end}}

==== Former regiments ====

* [[Pretoria Highlanders]] (1939–2017)

===United States===
[[File:The Seventy-Ninth Regiment (Highlanders) New York State Militia (Boston Public Library).jpg|thumb|[[79th New York Volunteer Infantry]] was one of two Scottish regiments maintained by the [[Union Army]] during the [[American Civil War]].]]
The [[United States Army]] (or the [[Union Army]] during the [[American Civil War]]) formerly operated two Scottish regiments. One of these regiments operated as a part of the [[New York Guard|New York State Militia]] prior to the [[American Civil War]]. Scottish regiments formerly maintained by the United States Army includes:<ref>{{cite book|title=Don Troiani's Regiments and Uniforms of the Civil War|publisher=Stackpole Books|date=2002|pages=42–43|last1=Troiani|first1=Don|last2=Coates|first2=Earl J.|last3=McAfee|first3=Michael J.|isbn=0-8117-0520-X}}</ref>
* [[12th Illinois Infantry Regiment (3 Year)|12th Illinois Infantry Regiment]] (1861–1865)
* [[79th New York Volunteer Infantry]] (1858–1876)

==See also==
* [[Military history of Scotland|Military of Scotland]]
* [[Garde Écossaise]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://scottishmilitarydisasters.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34:quick-guide-to-the-scottish-regiments&catid=1:smd&Itemid=2 Quick Guide to Scottish Regiments]
* [http://www.smhc-uk.org/royalregimentofscotland.html Royal Regiment of Scotland | Scottish Military Heritage Centre]

{{Royal Regiments of Scotland}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scottish Regiment}}
[[Category:Scottish regiments|*]]
[[Category:Highland regiments]]
[[Category:Military of Scotland]]
[[Category:Infantry]]

Latest revision as of 17:55, 5 December 2024

The Royal Scots Greys and 92nd Regiment of Foot, two Scottish regiments of the British Army, at the Battle of Waterloo

Scottish regiments are military units which at some point during their existence have had a form of connection with Scotland. Though the military history of Scotland dates back to the era of classical antiquity, the first organised Scottish military units were formed in the Middle Ages, mostly to serve in the Anglo-Scottish Wars or the Hundred Years' War. Numerous Scottish units also fought in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, and during the 1660 Stuart Restoration the Scots Army was established as the army of the Kingdom of Scotland.

As a result of the Acts of Union 1707, the Scots Army was merged with the English Army to form the British Army, which contained numerous prominent Scottish regiments. Several Scottish regiments were also raised by the armies of the British Empire, including the Australian Army, Canadian Army and South African Army. Two Union Army regiments which served in the American Civil War also cultivated a "Scottish" identity. Scottish regiments often adopt elements of the culture of Scotland, including bagpipes, kilts, feather bonnets and the Glengarry.

History

[edit]

Lowland regiments

[edit]

These generally pre-date the more widely known Highland regiments (see below). The senior Lowland regiment was the Royal Scots (the Royal Regiment) which dates from 1633. The Royal Scots Fusiliers and the King's Own Scottish Borderers were subsequently raised in 1678 and 1689 respectively. Throughout the 17th, 18th and most of the 19th centuries these Scottish regiments served widely and with distinction. They did not, however, differ significantly in appearance or public perception from the bulk of the line infantry of the British Army. In 1881, the introduction of the Cardwell system of reforms provided the opportunity to adopt a modified form of Scottish dress for the Lowland regiments. Comprising doublets and tartan trews this gave the Lowlanders a distinctive identity, separate from their English, Welsh, Irish and Highland counterparts.[1] At the same time, the absence of kilts (except for pipers) and the substitution of Kilmarnock bonnets for feather bonnets prevented confusion between Lowlanders and their Highland counterparts. The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was created at the same time from the merging of two existing numbered regiments.[2]

Highland regiments

[edit]

Depiction of a Highland soldier in 1801.

The original Highland regiments were raised in the 18th century with the object of recruiting rank and file solely from the Scottish Highlands. However, due to the Highlands becoming extensively depopulated through the course of the 19th and 20th centuries, the Highland regiments of the British Army have witnessed a long-term decline in the proportion of recruits from the Highlands and have long recruited many Lowland Scots and others. The major 20th century exceptions to this rule were the First and Second World Wars, when many Highland men joined up. Around the time that the first Highland regiments were raised the Highlands had recently been a hotbed for several revolts against the establishment, namely the Jacobite Rebellions, so the loyalties of the Highlanders were often deemed suspect in the early history of the Highland regiments.

The first Highland regiment, the Black Watch, was originally raised from clans openly loyal to the status quo in order for the government to better police the Highlands, which were deemed to be both rebellious and lawless by the contemporary British establishment. However, due to a pressing need for personnel in North America during the Seven Years' War, William Pitt the Elder made the decision to raise new Highland regiments to fight in this global conflict. The war ended in victory and among other things, Canada was secured as a part of the British Empire, while the British East India Company's position in India was consolidated and expanded, both at the expense of the French. These Highland regiments were disbanded after the war, but other Highland regiments were raised later and, like the rest of the British Army, saw service in various wars including in the Napoleonic Wars.

Depiction of The Thin Red Line at the Battle of Balaclava. Highland regiments played a conspicuous role in conflicts throughout the Victorian era.

By the Victorian era, the loyalty of the Highlanders was no longer suspect. Queen Victoria had a personal interest in things Scottish, in particular relating to the Highlands. In addition, Highland regiments had played a conspicuous role in such Victorian conflicts as the Crimean War and the putting down of the Indian Mutiny. The Highland regiments earned a reputation which influenced the mindset of those Scottish regiments which were Lowland in origin. This resulted in the wearing of tartan by Lowland regiments which had previously worn uniforms not clearly distinguishable from their Irish, Welsh and English counterparts. In the case of the Highland Light Infantry, the distinction between Highlanders and Lowlanders was slightly blurred: although classified as a non-kilted Highland regiment it was recruited from Glasgow in Lowland Scotland and bore the title of "City of Glasgow Regiment".

Scottish bagpipes have been adopted in a number of countries, largely in imitation of the pipers of Highland regiments which served throughout the British Empire. Highland regiments were raised in a number of Commonwealth armies, often adopting formal honorary affiliations with Scottish regiments of the British Army.

Scottish regiments in the United Kingdom

[edit]

Current regiments in the British Army

[edit]
Members of the Highland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland performing at Gibraltar in 2013.

Additionally, the British Army also operate the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, consisting of:[3]

Former regiments in the British Army

[edit]
A member of the Black Watch fires a rifle grenade in 1917. In 2006, the Black Watch was reorganized into a battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The following units were formerly a part of the British Army's Highland Brigade. The brigade was amalgamated into the Scottish Division in 1968.

The following units were formerly a part of the British Army's Lowland Brigade. The brigade was amalgamated into the Scottish Division in 1968.

Former yeomanry of Scotland includes:

Private regiment

[edit]

The Atholl Highlanders is a ceremonial Scottish regiment which not part of the British Army but under the command of the Duke of Atholl, based at Blair Castle. It was presented with colours by Queen Victoria in 1844, giving the regiment official status.[8] It is the only legal private army in Europe.[9]

Scottish regiments in other armies

[edit]

Australia

[edit]

Current regiments

[edit]
The 5th/6th Battalion, Royal Victoria Regiment is one of five Scottish battalions presently operating in the Australian Army.

There are presently five Scottish "Kilted Companies" in the Australian Army Reserve. They include:

Former regiments

[edit]

British India

[edit]

The Auxiliary Force maintained one Scottish regiment, the Calcutta Scottish, from 1914 to 1947.

Canada

[edit]

Current regiments

[edit]
Members of the Calgary Highlanders assist in flood relief efforts during the 2013 Alberta floods
Members of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa march during the 2017 Remembrance Day parade

There are 16 Canadian-Scottish infantry regiments, and one Canadian-Scottish artillery regiment in Canada's Primary Reserve. The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada is the senior Canadian-Scottish infantry regiment of the Canadian Army.

Canadian-Scottish regiments in the Canadian Army Reserve:

Supplementary Order of Battle

[edit]

Former regiments

[edit]

New Zealand

[edit]

The New Zealand Army formerly included the New Zealand Scottish Regiment. Initially raised as an infantry regiment in January 1939, it was later converted into an armoured unit of the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps. The unit was formally disbanded on 16 April 2016.[11]

South Africa

[edit]

Current regiments

[edit]

The South African Army has maintained several Scottish regiments with the South African Army Infantry Formation. All regiments are reserve units of the South African Army. In 2019, a number of reserve units, including the Scottish regiments, were renamed in an effort to better reflect "the military traditions and history of indigenous African military formations".[12] These regiments include:

Former regiments

[edit]

United States

[edit]
79th New York Volunteer Infantry was one of two Scottish regiments maintained by the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The United States Army (or the Union Army during the American Civil War) formerly operated two Scottish regiments. One of these regiments operated as a part of the New York State Militia prior to the American Civil War. Scottish regiments formerly maintained by the United States Army includes:[14]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Carman, W. Y. (1957). British Military Uniforms from Contemporary Pictures. London: Leonard Hill. pp. 146, 152.
  2. ^ Barnes, R. Money; Allen, C. Kennedy (1972) [1956]. The Uniforms & History of the Scottish Regiments. Sphere Books. p. 282.
  3. ^ "The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry". MOD. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  4. ^ "A (Ayrshire (EOCO) Yeomanry) Sqn". MOD. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  5. ^ "B (North Irish Horse) Sqn". MOD. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  6. ^ "C (FFY/SH) Sqn". MOD. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  7. ^ "E (Lothians and Border Yeomanry) Sqn". MOD. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  8. ^ "Queen Victoria and the fascinating royal story behind the Duke of Atholl's private army revealed". Daily Record. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
  9. ^ "John Murray, 11th Duke of Atholl, retired South African surveyor who inherited one of Scotland's most ancient titles". The Scotsman. 19 May 2012.
  10. ^ a b "Register and Index of Scottish Regiments". Regiments.org (archived). Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  11. ^ "Laying up of the New Zealand Scottish Regiment colours". Dunedin City Council. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  12. ^ "New Reserve Force unit names". www.defenceweb.co.za. defenceWeb. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  13. ^ "Names of three of four Cape Town Army Reserve Force units changed". 30 June 2022.
  14. ^ Troiani, Don; Coates, Earl J.; McAfee, Michael J. (2002). Don Troiani's Regiments and Uniforms of the Civil War. Stackpole Books. pp. 42–43. ISBN 0-8117-0520-X.
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