The Scottish Martial Tradition Scots at War

Before Culloden-the Highlands Scottish men had traditionally fought for their clan (extended family.) Military service was given to the clan chief in return for use of the land for farming. The status/prestige of the clan chief was measured, in part, by the number of men he could muster for battle. These soldiers were not full-time or part of a “regular”, professional standing army. Highland warriors depended on the fearsome “Highland Charge” as their main tactic and were feared even by Lowland Scots.

Before Culloden-the Lowlands The clan system did not operate in the same way in the Lowlands as in the North of Scotland, but there was still a military tradition going back to the Wars of Independence and the Covenanters (religious conflicts in the 17 th c.) Many Lowland Scots regarded Highlanders as wild, barbaric savages. Lowlanders were more likely to join the British Army (created after the Act of Union 1707) as regular soldiers. There were 7 Scottish regiments before the Battle of Culloden (1746)

Culloden – the turning point

The Slaughter

The Aftermath

Not surprisingly after Culloden, the British government banned the keeping of private armies and the clan system in general was broken down through a variety of laws. The wearing of tartan and the kilt were forbidden and the idea of a distinct Scottish identity was discouraged. The government was keen to incorporate the Highland fighters into the British Army. From 1756, 37 regiments were formed from Highland clans. The great Highland landowners recruited and trained these regiments, often beginning with men from their own estates. Although respected as fierce fighters, these regiments were initially distrusted and hated by conventional British army regulars who saw them as barbaric and untrustworthy.

The Conquest of Canada Highland regiments played a key role in the acquisition of Canada as part of the British Empire, fighting bravely against the Canadian First Nations and, in particular, against the French, Britain’s main imperial competition in North America. The Fraser Highlanders, for example, played a key role in Sir Thomas Wolfe’s victory at Quebec. Such involvement began to change people’s opinion for the better about the Scottish regiments.

Note the kilted soldier in this famous painting of the death of General Wolfe

The Napoleonic Wars Scottish regiments fought bravely in the wars against Napoleon Bonaparte, eventually helping liberate Europe from French occupation. They were the only Britons allowed to wear tartan and the kilt, which had been banned after Culloden. This led to the development of a distinct visual identity and appearance amongst the Scottish regiments, which was consolidated by the fact that many came from particular areas and shared ties of background and kinship. They gained particular fame when, for example, Ensign Ewart of the Royal Scots Greys led a charge which captured a French ceremonial eagle which became the Greys’ Emblem. The R.S.Gs were also immortalised in a famous painting of the Battle of Waterloo.

The Royal Scots Greys lead the charge.

The Crimean War British and French troops fought together against the Russian in the Crimean War and, although British troops lost 10 times more troops to disease and illness than to enemy action, Scots regiments enhanced their reputation still further. At the Battle of Balaklava, for example, at one point the 93 rd Highland Regiment formed the last barrier against Russian cavalry and saved the city. Their achievement was immortalised in a famous painting, called “The Thin Red Line”

The Thin Red Line

Tartan Gets Trendy In the 19 th century, all things Scottish and tartan became the rage. Everyone read Sir Walter Scott’s novels, George IV visited Edinburgh, and Queen Victoria spent a great deal of time, particularly after the death of Prince Albert, at Balmoral on Royal Deeside, which she called “Our own dear paradise.” The Highlands became a popular tourist destination, particularly for sportsmen. Victoria favoured her Scottish regiments, so even Lowland regiments wore kilts and tartan trews.

The Highland Clearances and the general poverty and hardship of Highland life led to depopulation and a lessening of recruitment from native Highlanders to the Scottish regiments. However, their outstanding reputation meant that Lowland Scots, Irishmen and Englishmen rushed to join these most prestigious regiments. Wars in Afghanistan, Sudan and South Africa further cemented their status and identity as tough, determined fighters.

Gordon Highlanders during the Boer War,

Scots in the Great War In light of this tradition of military excellence, it is not surprising that Scots rushed to enlist at the outbreak of the First World War. A higher proportion of Scots joined the British Army voluntarily than from any other part of the UK. Scots formed 22 of the 157 battalions of the British Expeditionary Force. Scots formed 10% of the British population, yet had 13% of the war’s casualties, partly because of their reputation, which led many commanders to send them into battle first in the hope of a quick breakthrough.

The Battle of Loos, 1915

The Cost of the War Few communities in Scotland, however small, escaped the impact of the losses of the war. Scots had a higher proportion of killed and injured in enemy action than any other country on either side(26%). This affected the nation for many years to come.