Kilt and tuxes at wedding

[James MacMillan]

There is a long tradition of gentlemen from India serving with the Scottish Regiments when they were deployed to India. There are some great flix floating around somewhere of their kilted formations!

[macwilkin]

There is a long tradition of gentlemen from India serving with the Scottish Regiments when they were deployed to India. There are some great flix floating around somewhere of their kilted formations!

Not necessarily enlisting in the regiments per se, but there is a long-standing connection between the various "martial races", especially the Sikhs and Gurkhas with the Highland regiments. This is why a number of Sikh and Gurkha regiments have adopted the pipes and tartan over the years.

Most Indians would have joined the Indian Army, and not the regular British Army. I know Sav's (an Xmarks member) grandfather may have been an exception, but I can't say I've seen too much documentation for native rankers in the regular battalions.

Of course, many Scots served as officers for the aforementioned Indian Army regiments.

I can recommend some good sources on the Indian Army; Farwell's Armies of the Raj and The Gurkhas are good to start off with, not to mention his masterpiece, Mr. Kipling's Army. Scott Gilmore's book on his service with the 8th Gurkha Rifles is also a ripping yarn, as are any of John Master's and George MacDonald Fraser's books.

Regards,

Todd