Great kilts in the American colonies

[Jock Scot]

Oh I am sure lots of the loyalists survived, after all they did outnumber the Jacobites almost six to one. Well trained, with artillary and a better position. Charles should have listened to Murray much earlier.

Dall, perhaps I am wrong here, but I think that you are short changing the Jacobites, they damn nearly won the war and the Crown, it was only the defeat at Culloden that finished BPC. As to artillery, the first casualty of the battle of Culloden was a British soldier killed by a Jacobite cannon ball, also, the Jacobites were not universally liked in the highlands and many highlanders(dare I say most?) were delighted that BPC was defeated.It is no good harping on about how the Jacobites were out numbered, out trained, out gunned, out General-ed and out fought----- it is a war we are talking about and not a game of monopoly!

Back on topic. A most enlightening historical thread on early American colonial history. Thank you.

[Sir William]

Just a quck look found the 42nd and the Fraser's in the RevWar. I believe the Fraser's might have been in Wilmington as it was a major port of the time.

During the French and Indian War (ca. 1755-1763) there were three Highland regiments in the British North American colonies: the 42nd "Black Watch" Royal Highland Regiment, the 77th "Montgomeries Highlanders," and and 78th "Fraser's Highlanders." By 1763, all three regiments were badly depleted. Some men were allowed to take a discharge and many remained in the colonies, to include Canada, while others were drafted from the 77th and 78th into the 42nd.

During the American Revolution, the 42nd returned to North America in 1776 (a second battalion was formed but was sent to India and later became the 73rd), and two battalions of the 71st "Fraser's Highlanders" also arrived in 1776. The 1st battalion was in NY and NJ, while the 2nd was in Wilmington, and both fought in the southern campaigns. A 3rd battalion was also raised.

Other Highland regiments in NA included the 74th "Argyll Highlanders," the 78th "MacDonnell's Highlanders", 77th "Athol Highlanders" (though they mutined on arrival and were disbanded), and the 84th "Royal Highland Emmigrants" raised from former members of the 42nd, 77th and 78th in Canada.

Within the Loyalist forces were the North Carolina Highlanders (or Volunteers) who apparently wore the government tartan (from the stores of the 71st) and a short blue jacket, and the Highland Company of the Queen's Rangers, which also wore the government tartan but with a short green jacket.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I agree with Woodsheal. I think even the Scots bonnet is far overdone in the reenactment community (and I'm one of those guilty of it at times).

Guilty or not, I think that's a very good point-- look at the numerous threads that have been posted about the inadequacy of the "Scotch" bonnet for wear today. Even at Highland games you see a lot of men eschewing the bonnet for something more practical. I'm sure 18th century Scots in the new world were not overly sentimental about Highland attire when it came to a choice of hats! ith:

[dfmacliam]

Thank You for the very educational thread... I am learning a lot..

[NorCalPiper]

I can say this about my home State, especially where john Mohr Mackintosh and his group settled. From late MAy to early september, it is a sea gnat/flea infested, humid, hot, grimy part of the world, and how ANY highlander would think to wear native dress there is unfathomable. Maybe around December, Jan, Feb...That be it!

[puddlemuddle]

I'm glad to see the mentioning of Oglethorpe's Highland Independent Company of Darien....I used to be in reenacting unit that did this unit, as I lived only 15 min south of Darien Ga. The uniform was "a kilt of non discript tartan, with another non disticript tartan for matching hose and jacket" SO almost exactly as the wealthier Jacobite's of the time (1736-1746) would have been wearing...only here in the colonies!
As far as after that, I would say that it would have been more likely to have been saved for weddings and such.
Cheers,
Chad