Highland soldiers on the march

Highland soldiers on the march

ID: PC_GLENGARRY_COSTUME1_12_H DESCRIPTION: One of fourteen images from a panoramic German print dated 1743. It shows the Highland Regiment on campaign during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740 – 1748). The troops wear red coats, a saffron and red plaid, and hats that vary in colour. The incomplete caption for this section describes Highlanders (‘mountain Scots’) with coverings, referring to the plaid. The belted plaid consisted of a double width of fabric about 1.5 metres wide and about 5 metres long. This would be assembled on the ground by lying on the fabric, which was then arranged in pleats and then draped around the body and belted. The draped section could be worn wrapped around the shoulders like a cloak as protection against bad weather, pinned and held in place over a short jacket, or hanging loose. All three variants can be seen somewhere in this print. Although gentlemen and officers sometimes wore tartan trews when riding, the simplicity, versatility and classless nature of the plaid meant it was widely worn by all ranks of society. PLACENAME: Austria DATE OF IMAGE: 1743 PERIOD: 1740s Asset ID: 49857 KEYWORDS: