Are You Ready to Enlist?

[creagdhubh]

The Atholl Highlanders are looking for a few good men...

http://www.perthshireadvertiser.co.u...ngX6mc.twitter

I have had the privilege of seeing Europe's last remaining private army at the Atholl Gathering at Blair Castle in Perthshire. Truly a sight to behold. I'd absolutely love to wear the uniform, but you can only become an Atholl Highlander by invitation and I'm sure being a native born Scot is a requirement as well. The Atholl Highlanders are a rather exclusive and elite (bodyguard) unit with a rich history. They're a purely ceremonial regiment today.





















Kind regards,

[Richrail]

Wonderful pictures, love the colors.

[creagdhubh]

Wonderful pictures, love the colors.

They're far better in person.

[Nathan]

It is a lovely uniform but given Atholl's gleeful participation in the Highland Clearances as some of the largest landowners in Scotland, I wouldn't be so quick to covet that uniform. He's rich enough to hold a private army because of the profit of Cheviot sheep.

We all know the cultural price Gaelic civilzation has paid to enrich the holders of land and peerage.

I love castles and kilts but try to keep a historical perspective on how that money was raised and the cost paid by the common Gael.

[creagdhubh]

It is a lovely uniform but given Atholl's gleeful participation in the Highland Clearances as some of the largest landowners in Scotland, I wouldn't be so quick to covet that uniform. He's rich enough to hold a private army because of the profit of Cheviot sheep.

We all know the cultural price Gaelic civilzation has paid to enrich the holders of land and peerage.

I love castles and kilts but try to keep a historical perspective on how that money was raised and the cost paid by the common Gael.

Right you are, Nathan. The Duke of Atholl was the first to clear a portion of his land (Atholl Estate, which during the 19th-century was estimated at around 190,000 acres, now it's approximately 120,000 acres) in order to make way for Cheviot sheep. The clearances at Glen Tilt, in Blair Atholl, were the first recorded evidence of the clearances in Scotland. So, I'm well aware of the historical perspective in regards to the Duke of Atholl and the Highland Clearances, but I can still like the sartorial aspects of the uniform of the Atholl Highlanders, as well as the purely ceremonial duties the regiment performs today, without disregarding or dismissing its historical perspective. I understand the Highland Clearances was calamitous and utterly tragic time for the countless people affected, to include some of my own Highland ancestors (maternal line), who emigrated from Perthshire to America as a direct result from being forcibly removed.

Kind regards,

[piperchris]

I would LOVE to join this outfit!!!! I hope it will happen someday!!!

[mookien]

Kyle: Great pictures - very inspiring. Thanks for posting. I could never pass the physical, let alone the lineage requirements. I would love to be a spectator one day, though.

John

[Madadh]

when Scotland gets it independance, I too would love to be asked.

[Bluescelt]

I missed a chance to see them last year in Athol Massachusetts. They were invited to participate in the town's anniversary celebration. I found out on facebook as they were marching in a parade.

[Nile]

Wonderful pictures Kyle; thank you for sharing them.

I'm well aware of the historical perspective in regards to the Duke of Atholl and the Highland Clearances, but I can still like the sartorial aspects of the uniform of the Atholl Highlanders,

There are leaders and there are followers (and then, of course, there is the rabble), and most soldiers faithfully, do what they're told (US Air Force for me). Aside from history and the whims and directives of their leaders, the Atholl Highlanders serve their cause as much as any 'soldier' and they look pretty good doing it.

Nile