Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1793, 1915-1964
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SEAFORTH, n. A soldier in the regiment of the British army, the Seaforth Highlanders, originally raised as the 78th (later 72nd) Regiment of Foot by Kenneth Mackenzie, last Earl of Seaforth, in 1778. In 1793 the number 78th was assigned to another regiment raised by a Mackenzie, known as the Ross-shire Buffs. In 1881 the two amalgamated to form the Seaforth Highlanders. In 1961 they amalgamated with the Cameron Highlanders to form The Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) and again in 1994 with the Gordon Highlanders to form The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons). Phr. Seaforth's shirt, a nickname of the clan Macrae (see 1915 quot.).Sc. 1793 H. Davidson Hist. 78th Highl. (1901) 12 plate:
Seaforth's Highlanders. To be forthwith raised for the Defence of His Glorious Majesty King George the Third, and the Preservation of our Happy Constitution.Sc. 1793 H. Davidson Hist. 78th Highl. (1901) vi:
Efforts were made [in 1881] to have the title changed from Seaforth to Seaforth's Highlanders but this was declined on the plea that the latter was not a territorial title.Sc. 1915 L. M. Watt Seaforth Highl. 28:
The little clan [Macrae] had been a kind of bodyguard of the Seaforths, and they were known by the nickname of “Seaforth's shirt”.Sc. 1960 Scotsman (26 Nov.) 8:
The Seaforths staged their ceremonial farewell near Münster, Germany.a.1964 Robert Wilson in Rampant Scotland (http://www.rampantscotland.com/songs/blsongs_gordon.htm) :
A Gordon for me, a Gordon for me,
If ye're no a Gordon, ye're no use to me.
The Black Watch are braw, the Seaforths an a'
But the cocky wee Gordon's the pride o' them a'.
