The Scottish nation ceased to exist on April 16, 1746, after a long and bloody persecution.

On this sad day the great clans died before the cannons and muskets of Cumberland's army at Culloden and the clan system was broken forever among the Highland people. Tired, hungry, dispirited and ill-led they suffered the indignities of a wandering race. Often their people were hanged for no reason, imprisoned and deported without trial, and their music and dress forbidden on the pain of death Their ancient culture crumbled and fell leaving the Highlands only for sportsmen opportunists, sheep and tourists.
Yet in the Highland Regiments, we have a remarkable paradox, and the true proof of the effectiveness of the clan system. Bound on his stainless honor to his regiment, the Highlander watched the destruction of his proud race by the barborous and bigoted people he served. The Highlanders were a strong and honorable people whose culture survived in these British regiments. Their regimental customs and habits hauntingly echo in modern Scotland. Though the average tourist may know of the Thin Red Line and the Gordon's charge at Waterloo, and may even have a sticker in his car arguing that the "Argylls Be Saved," never let him stand by Ramoch and look down into Glencoe, and wonder why the glens are empty.

About 1725certain Highland chieftains were commissioned to raise bodies of their clansmen, known as Independent Companies, to keep order in their different localities. It was formerly believed that the men of those companies wore the tartans of their company commanders and that the name "Black" was derived from the dark colours of the tartans but more recent researches have indicated that the companies did not wear the tartan of their commanders and that the "Black" referred to their duty of suppressing "blackmail".

In 1739the companies were formed into the43rd Regiment. The regiment went into action for the first time in 1745at the battle of Fontenoy. In 1751, the number was changed to "42" and the title of "Royal" was conferred on the Regiment by King George II. The buff facings on the redcoats were then changed to the royal colour of blue.

From 1758 to 1767the 42nd Royal Highlanders were engaged in the French & Indian War as well as other operations in America. In 1758 they fought the First Battle of Fort Ticonderoga - the period recreated by our Living History Regiment.

The 42nd returned to America during the American War of Independence - 1776 to 1783- and it is interesting to note that the 42nd is the only existing regular Highland regiment which served in this and the other campaigns mentioned.

In 1795the 42nd adopted the Red Hackle, which is still worn in the balmoral bonnet in place of a badge.

The "BROWN BESS"

The weapon that you see here is a Brown Bess musket, which was used by the 42nd Highland Regiment as well as all other British soldiers during the colonial wars. Royal warrants of 1740 to 1750 suggest that, while fighting in North America, officers might replace pole arms with fusils of their own preference. The Brown Bess was originally developed in 1750 and sent into service by 1753.

Unlike modern weapons, the musket was very slow to load, highly inaccurate and frequently unreliable. A well-trained soldier could prime, load and fire three times in one minute. This involved a 12 step process in order to fire just one shot. Also, these muskets did not fire bullets, as we know them in the modern sense, but fired round lead balls, some of which were the size of a quarter. At short ranges, these lead balls could inflict horrible damage on soldiers as they did not pierce a person's body but rather smashed against it.

Aside from the fact that this weapon took 20 seconds to load (often under enemy fire) and that it was prone to frequent misfires, it was also inaccurate. It was possible to hit an opponent only if he was standing not more than 40 yards in front of you. Any further away, and the chances of hitting him were greatly reduced. It was often said that soldiers did not aim their weapons, instead they pointed them in a general direction and hoped for the best.

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