Osprey Men-at-Arms 261 : 18th Century Highlanders

On 25 October 1739 Letters of Service were granted to John, Earl of Crawford, for forming a regiment of foot from the six independent companies then making up the Highland Watch, augmented by four additional companies. The new regiment then took precedence as the 43rd Foot. Although strictly speaking the 43rd, now better known as the Black Watch, was not the first highland regiment raised for service in the British Army, those earlier highland regiments were outwardly indistinguishable from the Lowland Scots and English counterparts, with virtually no concessions made to their highland origins. The new 43rd Regiment, by contrast, not only wore bonnets, but had short jackets in place of coats, and belted plaids instead of breeches. In addition to their firelocks and bayonets they were armed with Scots broadswords, pistols and dirks. In the early days a few of them may even have carried circular shields or targets. The British Army was never to be the same again. Stuart Reid explores the history, clothing and equipment of the 18th century Highland regiments, in a text complemented by a multitude of photographs and illustrations, including eight full page colour plates by Mike Chappell with extensive commentaries.

Contents

• The First Highland Regiments
• Expansion 1757-87
• Clothing and Equipment
• Highland Regiments
• The Plates