The Scottish 93rd Sutherland Highlander Regiment Foot

The 93rd Regiment of Foot, Sutherland Highlanders was raised in April 1799 in the mountains and remote north of Scotland - the lands of Sutherland, Ross, Caithness, the Orkneys and Shetlands. Most of the men were from "Fencible" regiments, home defense forces raised to check the threat of invasion by France and Napoleon. There had been three such Sutherland Regiments and the last, the 3rd - had emerged from the inglorious Irish 1798 rebellion with a uniquely high reputation and along with the Reay Fencibles contributed greatly to the new Regiment's strength. Major-General William Wemyss of Wemyss raised the 93rd for his 16 year old cousin Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland. Extra numbers were drawn in 1803 from the disbanded Reay Fencibles, Rothesay and Caithness Fencibles, and the Scots Militia. Most of the remainder were added from the Sutherland estates in a process harking back to the old feudal system. Assembled young men would be looked over by General Wemyss and likely looking prospects would be invited to drink a dram of whisky and take snuff from a large silver-bound horn mull, no further attesting deemed necessary. This was the last instance of the old feudal clan form of gathering men to fight. After this ceremony the men would be told when and where to assemble. Amazingly, every man showed up at the designated time. From the start the 93rd became the most solidly and characteristically Highland of all Scottish regiments. Most of the men were native Gaelic speakers, raised in the traditions of the family, clan and parish. The Regiment now became the "clan" with the commanding officer as "chief". The Regiment wore what they called "Sutherland Tartan", a version of the Government Sett (more commonly known as "Black Watch").