The Scottish Regiments

This updated publication presents a concise history of the current Scottish regiments. The Highland and Lowland regiments, reknowned throughout history for their martial prowess, each have complex and lengthy histories. The author tries gallently to cover all of this in a rapid fashion, but can only be touched upon here. Naturally one has to expect that details of campaigns can only be briefly mentioned. The book is nicely illustrated depicting the uniforms of the various corps over the years. All the famous names are here, including the Black Watch, Argylls, Royal Scots Greys, Royal Scots, KOSBs and Scots Guards. By including the 2nd Dragoons and SGs the book covers regiments of the Guards and what now is the Royal Armored corps as well as the Scottish Divison which contains what remains of the original Scottish regiments that were raised in the 18th century. The most pertinent chapter deals with the recent creation of the Highlanders (Seaforths, Camerons & Gordons) created in 1994 upon the amalgamation of the Queens Own Highlanders and the Gordon Highlanders. This newest creation of the British army contains some of the most famous Highland corps that were raised in the latter half of the 18th century. The book also includes disbanded regiments like the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) who ceased to exist in 1968 but who nonetheless contributed a vital history to the Scottish fighting man.The book makes itself current by including this important information and provids a pretty up to date perspective. An added bonus is various regimental info. which is given including number of VCs won by each regiment, as well listing regimental and company march tunes for the interest of the reader. Unless further reductions are planned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD)in the near future, this book should stand for now as the most current concise history of the Scottish regiments available. Lets hope there are no more reductions for now as the current international situation may require the use of these fine old regiments, and the government that disbanded them before may regret that choice in the near future.As an aside, the pipes & drums of the Highlanders shall be doing a three month US and Canada tour with the band of the Grenadier Guards in early 2003.