Now all roads lead to France and heavy is the tread
Of the living; but the dead returning lightly dance.
Edward Thomas, Roads

Saturday, February 22, 2020

The Black Watch Museum at Perth


A Sentry of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), 1892

The Black Watch was one of the most distinguished of Scotland's infantry formations, dating its lineage back to 1725 when six "watch" companies were authorized to patrol the Highlands. On 28 March 2006 the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) was merged with other Scottish Infantry battalions to form the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The Black Watch members formed the 3rd Battalion of the new regiment. Despite the consolidation, a great effort has been made to ensure that the history of the Black Watch will not be forgotten.

 Balhousie Castle


WWI Display



WWI Display


The Regimental Trustees of the Black Watch bought Balhousie Castle outside of Perth, Scotland, in January 2009, and it became their headquarters and museum of the regiment. The museum displays the history of the regiment from 1739 to the present. The Black Watch Heritage Appeal was launched in September 2009, allowing the regiment to raise in excess of £3.2 million to develop Balhousie Castle to provide a permanent home for the museum and archive of the Black Watch. 

The 51st Highland Division Arrives at the Somme


Rum Ration on the Western Front

The new museum was opened in 2013. Shown here are some photos of the castle and the World War I section of the museum, as well as some of the photos in the archives of the Black Watch in action.

The Black Watch on the March in Mesopotamia


Pipers and Drummers of the Black Watch Entertaining the Men




1 comment:

  1. The Black Watch Regiment (42nd Highlanders), fought with distinction, but in defeat, at the Battle of Ticonderoga (July 8, 1758) in the French and Indian War. The Regiment holds a long and illustrious history, as your article demonstrates.

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