X Marks the Scot - An on-line community of kilt wearers.
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6th December 15, 11:52 PM
#11
Lightening the image confirms that the sitter is wearing a feileadh mor in the undifferenced Government sett. The plaid is arranged in togaresk fashion for the portrait. There is an interesting bow on the edge aligned to his sleeve which I take to be the shoulder fastening for the upper portrion of the plaid when worn for everyday practical use.
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7th December 15, 06:03 AM
#12
 Originally Posted by Sir William
Great find! The cut of the waistcoat confirms the uniform was from the 1760s, not the 1770s-1780s.
I would add that the lace shoulder knots and the style of the cuff also indicates that this portrait is of the Seven Years War period. Additionally, the style of turn-down collar was an early detail (these collars were sometimes made separately and sewed onto the coat) of Highland regimental coats and the lack of turnbacks/lapels on the breast of the uniform indicate this uniform was made under pre-1759 regulations for a company officer. At that time, only field officers (majors and above) usually wore lapelled uniform jackets in Highland regiments, but in 1759, the Board of General Officers (which was in charge of Army uniform details) ordered junior officers and other ranks to adopt lapels in Highland regiments, although they may not have been universally adapted when this portrait was made in 1760.
As I recall, the 87th Regiment was raised and commanded by Colonel Keith and fought on the continent during the Seven Years War, often alongside the 88th Regiment (Campbell's Highlanders), and performed with distinction. Eventually, the regiments were seen as a single entity and were referred to as Keith's and Campbell's Highlanders (87th/88th). Both regiments were disbanded in 1763, and the Army went down to a peacetime strength of 70 marching regiments of foot, plus the three regiments of Foot Guards. The mounted and artillery branches of the Army were also reduced, but I don't have those figures with me as I write this.
I might add that during the world war known as the Seven Years War (in Europe and the rest of the world, and as the French and Indian War in North America), Pitt's government raised about 13 Highland regiments of foot in an attempt to exploit the warlike nature of the Highlanders during the Proscription at a time when the British Government desperately needed manpower for its Army. After the war, all Highland regiments but the 42nd Regiment/Black Watch were disbanded. Additionally, getting so many Highlanders into the Army and overseas enabled Pitt's government to get what it saw as warlike "secret Jacobites" out of the country to places from whence they would probably not return (so said Pitt to a friend); the fear of a second '45 Rising still existed in Government circles. Highland lairds (such as former Jacobite Colonel Simon Fraser) were anxious to cooperate in an attempt to restore their own personal estates, or to gain favor from Pitt's government. Additionally, in the mid-18th century, the Highlands was suffering from a population explosion and high unemployment, so raising Highland regiments was a way for clan chiefs to get rid of surplus manpower and put much-needed money in their coffers.
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The Following User Says 'Aye' to Orvis For This Useful Post:
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7th December 15, 04:50 PM
#13
Wow -- this thread epitomizes the beauty of Xmarks! Brilliant detective teamwork and history lesson to boot!
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