Highlanders in the French and Indian Wars

[puddlemuddle]

I believe Darien was originally called "New Inverness".

Correct,
however it was quickly changed to Darien as a memorial to the Darien settlement in central america where the Spanish massacred all the scots inhabitants.

Also, Cajunscot is correct. You have to remember that Southeast Ga is a bit more hot and humid than Scotland, and from experience, I know wearing the Great Kilt or Belted Plaid, in that area (Darien) in the dead of summer is not very pleasant. The Highland Independent Company of Darien would have only worn their great kilts as uniforms while on duty, most after that would have been wearing regular civi clothing of the time.
A little side note: General Oglethorpe had such respect for the Highlanders that he himself had a great kilt, waistcoat, jacket and hose made up for him to waer at the arrival of the Highlanders in Darien from Scotland. Also (and please note that I have not found SOLID evidence of this) but the reason why Oglethorpes was never allowed to return to Georgia after his regiment (The original 42nd of foot (non highland)) was disbanded, was because he took part reluctantly in the Highland clearances, and was always thought upon as not pursuing the Jacobites as hard as he should have, so the British military refused to let him go back, and upon meeting Benjamin Franklin some many years later, was reported to ask "How is my little colony"...
Cheers,
Chad