Globe and Mail Update

May 27, 2008 at 10:34 AM EDT

BLAIR ATHOLL, Scotland — In this remote Scottish village, a band of kilt-wearing riflemen who claim to be Europe's last private army are on the march.

To the stirring sound of bagpipes and drums, the 150-strong regiment of Atholl Highlanders comes to a halt in front of Blair Castle to await inspection by their owner, John Murray, the 11th Duke of Atholl.

"I think we're probably the only armed body, men or people in this country who aren't required to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen," Blair Stewart-Wilson, Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment, told Reuters.

"Our allegiance is to the Duke... He is loyal to the Queen and the Queen accepts that."


Follow this link to the entire story about the Atholl Highlanders ...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl....wregiment0527

Aye,
Brian