Timeline – 1600s | The Royal Highland Fusiliers

Regimental Colours

THE RAISING OF THE REGIMENTS

1678 – 21st Raised (Mar’s Regiment).
1777 – 73rd Raised (Lord MacLeod’s). Later to become the 71st in 1786.
1787 – 74th Highlanders Raised.
1881 – The Highland Light Infantry formed by linking the 71st and 74th.
1959 – The Royal Highland Fusiliers formed by amalgamation of the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the Highland Light Infantry.

RAISING OF 21st OF FOOT

1678

The 5th Earl of Mar raised the 21st Regiment of Foot in 1678 as a general increase in the number of royal forces in Scotland to keep the peace and put down brigands, mercenaries and rebels, particularly the Covenanters. Their uniform gave rise to their nickname of Mar’s Old Greybreeks. Ten years later they became the second regiment to carry the new flintlock rifle or fusil; and by 1712, after ten years distinguished service under the Duke of Marlborough at many battles including Blenheim (1704) and Ramilies (1706), they were nicknamed Marlborough’s Own.

WATCH ON THE BRAES

1678-87

21st employed in keeping the peace in Scotland and suppressing lawlessness by Highlanders and Covenanters.

LANDING OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE

21st crossed the border into England on the orders of James II, who was concentrating his army near London to resist William. However, James fled to France and the army declared for William.

CAMPAIGN IN THE NETHERLANDS

1689-96 21st formed part of the allied force opposing Louis XIV in defence of the Low Countries.

Fought at Walcourt 1689, Steenkirk 1692, Landen 1693. In these battles the reputation of the British Infantry was first established.

THE FUSILIER TITLE

1689-90 (approx.) The 21st was designated a Fusilier regiment, the name coming from the Fusil or lightweight flintlock musket recently issued to certain regiments. First written record is a muster-roll of the army in Flanders, dated July 1691 in which the 21st is named as ‘O’Farrell’s Fusiliers’, Francis Fergus O’Farrell then being Colonel. A Royal Warrant of 30th December 1695 names the regiment as ‘Scots Fusiliers’.