Atholl Highlanders
The Atholl Highlanders | |
---|---|
Active | 1839–present |
Country | Scotland |
Type | Infantry |
Role | Personal bodyguard |
Size | One company |
Part of | Private army |
Garrison/HQ | Blair Atholl |
Motto(s) | Furth Fortune and Fill the Fetters |
March | The Atholl Highlanders |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Lieutenant Colonel Charles Hay, 16th Earl of Kinnoull |
Colonel-in-Chief | The Duke of Atholl |
Insignia | |
Tartan | Murray of Atholl |
The Atholl Highlanders is a Scottish private infantry regiment. A ceremonial unit, it acts as the personal bodyguard to the Duke of Atholl, chieftain of the Clan Murray, a family that has lived in Perthshire for roughly seven centuries.[1] Although it has no official military role, this hand-picked body of local men are armed with Lee–Metford rifles, and the regiment includes a pipe band. Joining the Highlanders is by invitation-only from the Duke, who specially selects men with ties to the estate or the local area. The regiment is not part of the British Armed Forces but under the command of the Duke of Atholl, and based at Blair Castle, Blair Atholl.[2]
History
First raising as a regular regiment in the British Army
The regiment was raised in Perthshire by John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl as the 77th Regiment of Foot (or Atholl Highlanders, or Murray's Highlanders) in December 1777.[3] The regiment was formed as a relief for other regiments serving in North America, and spent most of its existence in Ireland.[4] The terms upon which the regiment was raised stated that the men were to be employed for either three years or the duration of the war in America.[4] In 1781, the original three-year term ended, and the men expected the regiment to be disbanded.[4] However, the regiment was transported to England and marched to Portsmouth to be embarked for service in India.[4] Upon learning of this, the men mutinied, and the embarkation orders were countermanded.[4] The regiment was marched to Berwick, where it disbanded in 1783.[4]
Second raising as a private regiment of the Duke of Atholl
More than 50 years later, in 1839,
Under John Stewart-Murray,
After many years of inactivity the regiment remained in abeyance until in 1966, when it was reformed by
It was feared that the regiment would be disbanded following the 10th Duke's death in 1996, until his successor, John Murray, 11th Duke of Atholl, wrote to the estate trustees insisting that he would continue his traditional role.[11][12] The 11th Duke, although resident in South Africa, visited Blair Atholl almost every year to inspect the regiment's annual parade until his death.[11] The 12th Duke continues this tradition.[13]
The Atholl Highlanders continue with the current Bruce Murray, 12th Duke of Atholl, as their Colonel in Chief.[13]
Alliances
- South Africa – Solomon Mahlangu Regiment (formerly the Transvaal Scottish)
- United Kingdom – Fife and Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish Horse
See also
References
- ^ "Atholl Highland Gathering weekend - Blair Atholl,Highland Games,Pitlochry". Blair Castle. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ^ "Blair Castle, Pitlochry, Perthshire- 5* Visitor Attraction and Campsite". Blair Castle. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
- ^ a b "The Atholl Highlanders [77th Regiment of Foot]". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 18 January 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f "The Atholl Highlanders [77th Regiment of Foot]: Locations". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 18 January 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
- ^ "Heraldic shield returns to Blair Castle". Daily Record. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Queen Victoria and the fascinating royal story behind the Duke of Atholl's private army revealed". Daily Record. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
- ^ "Presentation of New Colors to The Atholl Highlanders By Evelyn M.E. Murray, FSA Scot". Clan Murray Newsletter - The Aitionn. 2006. Archived from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
- ^ "Members of the Atholl Highlanders parade at Blair Atholl on 27 May 2006". Getty images. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
- ^ "Atholl Highlanders" (PDF). Atholl Estates Newsletter. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
- ^ a b c "The History of the Atholl Highlanders". Blair Castle. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
- ^ a b "The Duke of Atholl". The Daily Telegraph. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
- ^ Daily Mirror, March 20, 1996
- ^ a b "Bruce Murray, 12th Duke of Atholl". Jacaranda FM. Retrieved 19 February 2017.