Quote Originally Posted by Paul. View Post
did all of the Scots at Waterloo wear kilts in battle?
I thought with it being early 19th century and all the British Army would try to dismantle what made Scots stand out in the army and make them more "English" if you know what I mean.
Quote Originally Posted by beloitpiper View Post
Kilts were worn into battle up until WWII. However, the Scots Greys were a cavalry regiment that wore grey trousers during Waterloo.
Paul is referring to attempts by the government to strip the Scottish Regiments of their "Scottish" identity in favour of a more "North British" one. For example, the Scots Greys you mention were known at one time as the Royal North British Dragoons.

Probably the most famous example of this was Allan Cameron's reply to government officials who wanted to replace the kilt with trews or pantaloons in 1804 -- I can't find the full text of the letter at the moment, but it basically tore a strip off the bureaucrat who suggested it!

Throughout the 19th century, Whitehall Bureaucrats tried to pinch pennies by targeting various aspects of Highland dress worn by the regiments.

I love the scene in Waterloo btw where the Gordons march by Wellington singing "Macpherson's Rant".

T.