Campaign Completes on August 29th, 2025 For more information or to back this project you can do it here
A Project by David Vazquez Fernandez
The finest troops I ever saw were the Highland regiments” The Duke of Wellington.
The Highland regiments became synonymous with their storming abilities, for example, the 92nd charged with the Scots Greys at Waterloo, with Wellington personally taking command telling the Gordons to rise to their feet and firing on his command.
Since 1809, with the uniform review there had been only 3 kilted, feather bonnet cladded highland units. The 42nd (The Royal Regiment of the Black Watch) The 79th (The Cameron Highlanders) and finally the 92nd (Gordon Highlanders).
There were other Scottish regiments during the 100 days campaign as well, the Scots Guards, The Royal Scots, 71st (Highland Light Infantry), 73rd Highlanders and finally the 91st (Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) – the (91st did not take part in the battle).
The Highland regiments fought from Egypt, India the Peninsular, southern France and finally the 100 days campaign. Known for their hardened, diciplined fighting skills that came second to none.
The Scots had a long history in the British Army. The 1st Regiment of Foot, or Royal Scots, was the oldest regiment in the king’s forces, with origins dating back to the 1630s. In fact, the 1st Foot had such seniority that it was nicknamed “Pontius Pilate’s Bodyguard.” But Scottish Highlanders were quite a different matter. Fierce, independent, and tough as the land that bred them, the Highlanders were loyal only to their clan chiefs. And all too often, the clan chiefs were loyal to the exiled Stuart dynasty
The highlanders were bred from Perthshire, Aberdeen, Rosshire and Inverness, known for their feathered bonnets and kilts. Wellington could rely on them to hold the line if needed, and could deliver a devistating charge when required.
Regimental numbers for the campaign:
Sporrans of the Highlanders were not worn on active campaign, however, during the Waterloo campaign officers of the highland regiments and the 92nd had worn them. During the duchess of Richmonds ball as the Gordons were the honouray guard and officers were there they did not have time to change as Napoleon had humbugged Wellington and they were ordered to march to Quatre Bras.
