Highland Brigades

Scotsmen all the world over take a patriotic interest in the achievements of the Highland Brigade. They look upon the tartan -clad warriors with peculiar pride, regarding them as approaching more nearly to their ideal of the invincible than any others of the gallant corps of which the British Army is composed. In the opinion of the Scot the honours of the Highlanders shed lustre upon himself ; with their prowess he regards himself as in some remote way identified ; and he carries his head more proudly as the oft – told story of their victories is spoken in his hearing. This pride with which the Highlanders are regarded is justifiable. Without disparagement to any of the other brave corps which go to swell the strength of Her Majesty’s Army, and whose nobly won honours form an imperishable record, we affirm that each Regiment is entitled to claim the distinction of being a “ crack corps.” Since the first encounter of the 42nd with the French at St Antoine, the Highlanders have had a heavy share of the fighting in nearly all the campaigns in which the British have been engaged , and have so distinguished themselves that a Highland Brigade is now looked upon as an indispensable part of the composition of every considerable fighting force sent from Britain . They have won the confidence of every General under whom they have served, and have ever been equal to the most trying tasks.

– The Highland Brigade : Its Battles and its Heros, 1886