The weapons and uniforms of the highlanders who served in North America during the French and Indian War
In the decade following the Jacobite defeat on the battlefield of Culloden in 1745, the Scottish had suffered heavily under tough English laws that limited their freedoms and suppressed their culture; notably no Scotsman was allowed to carry arms or to wear the traditional plaid tartan. However, an exception was made for those who joined the British army, and thus, many highlanders saw the army as a way to maintain their traditions and culture.
Although a few highland units had seen limited service in the British Army in the years before 1756, it during the French and Indian War (the North American theater of the Seven Years War) that the highlanders rose to prominence.
Highlander Weapons
Muskets, Carbines, and Rifles
For their main firearm the Highland regiments that served in North America during the French and Indian War were issued with either Muskets or Carbines. All of these were muzzle-loading, smooth-bore weapons with little accuracy beyond one hundred yards. They could all fit a bayonet. A few men in each regiment were also issued with rifled weapons, but these were rare and reserved for the best shots.
Dirks and the Backsword
Most British regiments were only issued with a firearm and bayonet, but the Scots carried several other weapons that were traditional to their way of fighting. The first was the Backsword. This was a one handed sword 28 – 36 inches in length with a basket hilt. These swords could either be beautiful family heirlooms or cheap, mass-produced weapons, depending on the wealth of the owner. In addition to the sword, all highlanders also carried a dirk, a straight, double-edged dagger 10 to 18 inches in length.
Pistol
Finally, all highlanders were equipped with a highland pistol, a simple, one-shot pistol, recognizable by its lack of trigger guard. This was normally worn on the left side near the armpit
Highlander Uniforms
Like most of the line infantry in the British Army at the time, the Highlanders wore a red coat with white cuffs, over a white shirt. However, this is where the similarity with other British units ended. For headgear, the Highlanders wore the Scottish bonnet, a soft beret-like hat (except for Grenadier companies which wore tall, bearskin hats that rose to a point at the front.)
The most famous part of the highland uniform was the plaid. This was a wool sheet some twelve yards in length, decorated with the unit’s tartan. The bottom portion of the plaid was belted around the waist to serve as a kilt, while the rest was wrapped up around the shoulder.
Primary information for this article obtained from Highlander in the French-Indian War: 1756-76 by Ian Macpherson McCulloch, Osprey Publishing, 2008
