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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BLACK WATCH, n. (See quot.) With def. art.: the name of a regiment of the British army formed in 1740 from the Independent Companies, q.v., raised to police the Highlands after the 1715 Rising, and so called from the dark green and black tartan of the kilt. Also known formally as the Royal Highland Regiment and in Gael. as Am Freiceadan Dubh, 'the Black Watch or Guard'. See also Forty, 4. (1).Sc. 1739 W. Fraser Chiefs of Grant (1883) II. 380:
My dear Frank is not to stay any time in what you call the Black Watch. Sc. 1822 D. Stewart Sketches I. 246:
The whole was then mustered [in 1740], under the number of the 43rd regiment, but they still retained the country name of the Black Watch.Sc. 1908 Marchioness of Tullibardine Military Hist. Per. 64:
On New Year's Day, 1861, new colours were presented to them by the Commander-in-Chief in India, and a few months later their ancient title "The Black Watch" was revived. Sc. 1964 W. P. Paul History Sc. Regiments 95:
The Black Watch was the first British regiment to wear Highland uniform as Regular soldiers, and is Scotland's senior Highland regiment.Abd. 1877 W. Alexander North. Rural Life in 18th Cent. ix.:
In 1724 Government established six companies of native soldiery, consisting of 480 men of the clans believed to be loyal, to prevent these cattle robberies and suppress the disgraceful impost [see Black Mail]. The men were dressed in plain dark-coloured tartan: and hence were called the . . . Black Watch. And such was the origin of . . . the gallant 42nd Highlanders.Edb. 1844 J. Ballantine Miller ii.:
The corps was almost entirely composed of Highlanders, many of whom had served in the celebrated Black Watch, now the 42d Regiment.