Buchanan's Regiment

[scabd]

Sir George Buchanan, second last chief of Clan Buchanan, was the Colonel of a regiment raised in West Stirlingshire and fought for the de facto Covenanter government against the Royalist armies of Charles 1^st and later against the Parliamentary armies of the Commonwealth. Some of the known engagements were the Battle of Auldearn, 9 May 1645; Battle of Dunbar, 3 September 1650; and Battle of Inverkeithing, 20 July 1651.
I have found very little detail about this regiment. Does anyone know if it was a uniformed unit, and if so was it kilted? If there is no direct evidence to answer my questions, can anyone provide an informed opinion as to what was probably worn by the soldiers and officers of the unit?

Regards,
Steve Buchanan
Sydney, Australia

[figheadair]

I know nothing of the regiment but west Stirlingshire was not what one would classify as truly Highland and I very much doubt that they would have been kilted.

[scabd]

Hi figheadair,
You are right, the region straddles the Highland line. Nonetheless, kilts have been found in stranger places. My wife's GG-grandfather died wearing highland gear in Gympie, Australia in the middle of a heat-wave.

Were Scottish troops uniformed at this time?

Cheers,
Steve Buchanan
Sydney, AUS

[scabd]

In Montrose and Covenanters: their characters and conduct, illustrated from private letters and other original documents hitherto unpublished, embracing the times of Charles the First, from the rise of the troubles in Scotland, to the death of Montrose, by Mark Napier Esq, 1838, Buchanan’s Regiment is referred to in the following paragraphs:


As Montrose had anticipated, Hurry sent his best and most experienced troops including the regiments of Loudon, Lothian, Lawers and Buchanan, with the most of his cavalry, against the Royal Standard, and directed the rest of his attack upon the front of the village which points were simultaneously assailed in the most gallant and persevering manner. p 409.

This was most remarkable, for, says Spalding, (and he is confirmed by all the contemporary accounts,) “the Chancellor's regiment, called Loudon's, the Lothian Regiment, Lawer's regiment, and Buchanan's regiment, all expert and singular well trained soldiers as were in this kingdom, are for the most part cut off, fighting to the death most valiantly.” p 441

[scabd]

The Concise Encyclopedia of the Revolutions and Wars of England, Scotland, and Ireland, 1639-1660, by Stephen C. Manganiello, Scarecrow Press, 2004

Buchanan’s Regiment, at the Battle of Auldearn (9 May 1645), is cited as being a Regular Regiment of Foot, comprising 500men. p43f


The Heather and the Gale: Clan Donald and Clan Campbell During the Wars of Montrose, by Ronald Williams, Dundurn, 1997

Regarding the Battle at Fyvie (28-29 Oct 1644)

The Covenant army under Marquis of Argyll straggled into Aberdeen during 18th and 19th September. Having been joined along the march by the survivors of Tippermuir and Aberdeen, the Campbell now commanded some 6000 troops, including three regiments of his own clansmen, Lothian’;s regiment, Sir Mungo Campbell of Lawlers’ regiment of musketeers which has been withdrawn from the Covenant force in Ireland, Buchanan’s regiment, and 1000 cavalry under the Earl of Dalhousie. p 102