As opposed to modern mystery, the 18th century shirts worn by Highlanders were long enough to be tied at the bottom thus making underwear.
Scotland! Generally from Northern Scotland. Inverness was a center because Simon Fraser, son of Lord Lovat, was the Colonel. They were from all trades but mostly farmers. Some Catholic others Presbyterians. All spoke Gaelic, most spoke French (the influence of the Auld Alliance between France and Scotland), so English was probably their third language. Some were also Freemasons.
The re-creation of the 78th was a project of the Stewart Museum (then known as the Montreal Military & Maritime Museum) in 1965. The Museum had already re-created La Compagnie Franche de la Marine and wanted a British counterpart in time for Expo 67 to show Canada’s two founding traditions. The 78th was chosen, in part, because of size (largest on the Plains of Abraham), battle record (Louisbourg, Quebec, St Foy, Montreal and St John’s Newfoundland), relationship with the local French Canadian population, disbandment while in Quebec, and the number of soldiers who remained in Quebec on land grants or those who returned to Scotland and then came back to America and for their deeds and exploits throughout the continent. In our opinion the members of no other Regiment had the same long term and notable effect on Montreal, Quebec, Canada and North America.
The aims are set forth on this website, but in brief they are to recall the story of this valiant Regiment in Canada’s and North America’s history, by associating people within a Regimental family who are dedicated to passing on this history and tradition to young people.
Find the Garrison or Outpost closest to you from the list on this website or contact Headquarters. You will be sent application forms, which do require reasons for you wanting to join, and a proposer and seconder from the membership. Each Garrison Command Group considers the application.
There is much controversy about which tartan the 78th wore back in the 1750s. Colonel Harper’s research in the 1960s found that there was no conclusive evidence either way but that contemporary images generally had more red tartans being used than Black Watch. More recent research continues to be inconclusive. For example, Ian McCulloch in his book “Sons of the Mountains” feels that the Officers may have worn a red tartan while the men wore the Government tartan. Colonel Harper copied a piece of a typical 18th century Inverness tartan found in the possession of a descendant of an Officer and the Regiment adopted it as our tartan. More reading on this subject can be found on this website by using the dropdown menus or the Search function.
Although some of the Garrisons sponsor re-enactment groups of young people, the Officers and Regimental Ladies dress in period uniforms for parade, ceremonial or dining occasions, and will be seen only on the sidelines at re-enactments. The York Garrison has an Honorable Guard composed of Officers who will provide escorts for VIPs, for example. The Fort St Helen Garrison helps the Stewart Museum in Montreal by funding a student squad during the summer months at the Fort St.Helen’s Island, since 1966.
The modern 78th is an historical association composed of legally independent garrisons or outposts across North America and of individuals elsewhere. There continues to be a very close relationship with the serving military in Canada and the USA, with most members being veterans and ex-servicemen or women. The Garrisons work with local military on various projects (generally youth oriented) and develop a convivial relationship.
