Quote Originally Posted by cajunscot View Post
Some were tenants, especially in the Hudson & Mohawk River Valleys. But Meyer contends that many were Loyalists because of their experiences with the '45 -- one failed rebellion swore them off ones in the future -- as well as religious & political differences with their Ulster-Scots neighbors,
The Johnson's (Sir William & son, Sir John) had Scots Highland retainers at Johnson Hall. They were quite loyal & left with Sir John for Fort Niagara when the neighborhood got a wee bit "hot". They formed the nucleus of the Royal Yorkers (I've read that a few also joined Butler's Corps of Rangers). A lot of these Highlanders were F&I War veterans, having served in the 42nd, 77th, & 78th regt's.

The Scots Highlanders of the Cape Fear settlements were loyal not just because of their experiences in the '45 (a lot of these were former Jacobites), but they were also offered land if they remained loyal to the Crown. Great inducements indeed (land & a discharge was also an inducement for settlement after the F&I War).

After the defeat at Moore's Creek Bridge, a lot of these Highlanders went north, and along with those from NY formed the 84th RoF Royal Highland Emigrants, as far I know the only Highland Regiment formed in the American colonies -- unless you count the Loyalist militia the North Carolina Highlanders & Mackay's Coy (Highlanders) Queen's Rangers (they were the Headquarters Guard /Simcoe's bodyguard).