The Black Watch was an elite military Regiment whose history stretches back almost three centuries. This website aims to provide comprehensive information on everything 'Black Watch' from the history of the Regiment to its current activities and exists to celebrate and sustain that unique heritage and tradition.
Voices from the past
October 27, 2008
“Never will I forget the day we marched to the warlike sound of the bagpipes out of the ancient and famous town of Stirling, in which the regiment (42nd Royal Highlanders) had been quartered before leaving for active service”.
These words were written by Sergeant Walter Robertson who was born in the County of Kincardine and enlisted in Aberdeen in 1851 aged 18. He was described in his enlistment papers as “Fresh complexion, with black eyes and brown hair”. His service took him to England for his journey to fight in the Crimean War and then to India and he was finally discharged in 1862.
The Museum of The Black Watch was delighted when Dr Iain Smith of Leamington Spa contacted the museum to offer to donate the diary kept by his great grandfather during the Crimean War and with vivid accounts of his service in India in the immediate aftermath of the Mutiny of 1857. He also donated the red tunic and medals his forebear had worn as a serving soldier 146 years ago - read more...
Lieutenant Colonel Roddy Riddell, the Museum’s Director said that “he was delighted that Dr Smith had decided to donate these very important artefacts as well as the diary to the museum and that he was particularly pleased to receive the diary as it would give our archive and researchers a unique insight into a Black Watch soldier’s thoughts recorded between 1854 and 1859.”
The Trustees of the Museum recently launched their Heritage Appeal, in which they aim to raise £3.25 million, to allow them to buy the Museum from the Ministry of Defence and then to enhance the facilities at Balhousie Castle. Those interested in supporting the appeal can find out more elsewhere on this site.