Black Watch

[Clan Sutherland]

I'm still learning the history of many things Scottish, but if I'm correct it looks like my clan is closely associated with the Black Watch. Being a direct ancestor or numerous Sutherland men this is indeed a proud moment. I've looked at the Black watch site and it has only a little bit of historical info. Would anyone know where I could read up more on the regiment ? Perhaps there is a thread on it hidden somewhere on the forum

Many Thanks

[Clan Sutherland]

Let me correct one thing. I'm a direct descendent of the Sutherlands not an ancestor. How do I get those things mixed up ?

[macwilkin]

Here's a few things to start off with:

http://www.btinternet.com/~james.mckay/bwatch42.htm

http://www.army.mod.uk/blackwatch/

http://www.theblackwatch.co.uk/newsite/index.html

http://www.blackwatchcanada.com/en/index.htm
(The Black Watch of Canada)

http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/042Black.htm
(T.F. Mills's page which has many links to other sites)

I would also recommend the following books:

Henderson, Diana. The Scottish Regiments. Collins: 2nd Edition, 1997.

Baynes, John & John Laffin. Soldiers of Scotland. (my edition is from B & N, 1997, but Brasseys first printed it in 1988).

Both have brief histories of the 42nd.

Mainstream Publishing in Scotland has a new history (2006) of the Black Watch by Trevor Royle, but I haven't added it yet to my library. There is also one other regimental history from 2006 showing up on Borders/Amazon.

Cheers,

Todd

[Oldhiker]

found this a while back, not sure how true it is

The Black Watch
In 1725 six Independent Black Watch companies were formed. Three from Clan Campbell, one from Clan Fraser, one from Clan Munro and one from Clan Grant. These companies were known by the name Reicudan Dhu, or Black Watch. Taking advantage of the partisan nature and warrior instincts of the highlanders, these men were authorised to wear the kilt and to bear arms, thus it was not difficult to find recruits. The regiment was then officially known as the 42nd Regiment of Foot.

[macwilkin]

found this a while back, not sure how true it is

The Black Watch
In 1725 six Independent Black Watch companies were formed. Three from Clan Campbell, one from Clan Fraser, one from Clan Munro and one from Clan Grant. These companies were known by the name Reicudan Dhu, or Black Watch. Taking advantage of the partisan nature and warrior instincts of the highlanders, these men were authorised to wear the kilt and to bear arms, thus it was not difficult to find recruits. The regiment was then officially known as the 42nd Regiment of Foot.

The regiment's name in the Gaelic is 'Am Freiceadan Dhu'.

The aforementioned article from the Scottish Military Historical Society is a better summary of the RHR's history, INMHO.

T.

[Clan Sutherland]

Very interesting, How is it that the Black Watch ended up with what appears to be the Sutherland Tartan ?

[macwilkin]

Very interesting, How is it that the Black Watch ended up with what appears to be the Sutherland Tartan ?

Actually, it's the other way around; the regimental tartans were adopted by the clans. See Matt Newsome's article on the Government Sett:

http://www.albanach.org/blackwatch.htm

And this article as well:

http://www.albanach.org/tartanname.htm

But, one thing to point out: you may be thinking of the Sutherland District tartan, which is different from the "Clan Sutherland" tartan. The former is the same sett as the Government Sett (Teall & Smith, District Tartans, but woven in lighter shades -- actually, this tartan has more of a tie to Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, formed in 1881 from the 93rd Sutherlands and the 91st Argyllshire Regiment.

Regards,

Todd

[Mike1]

Todd, here is another resource that you may already be aware of, but if not you may be interested in reading -

Brander, Michael, The Scottish Highlanders and Their Regiments, B & N 1996 - ISBN 0-76070-399-X

[macwilkin]

Todd, here is another resource that you may already be aware of, but if not you may be interested in reading -

Brander, Michael, The Scottish Highlanders and Their Regiments, B & N 1996 - ISBN 0-76070-399-X

Oops! That's one I forgot to put in my original post, Mike -- I'm looking at my copy on the shelf even as I type this post!

Todd

[Clockwork John]

The Black Watch tartan was adopted by many clans, including mine, Clan Campbell. The Campbell tartan has the same sett as the Black Watch, but uses lighter shades of blue and green, and the Black Watch tartan is one of the "official" tartans of the clan.