Royal Scots (Jacobite) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Scots |
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Regimental standard
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| Active | 1744–1762 |
| Country |  France |
| Branch | French Royal Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Line infantry |
| Size | 12 companies; 600 men |
| Motto(s) | Nemo me impune lacessit ('No one assails me with impunity') |
| Engagements | War of the Austrian Succession' 1745 Jacobite Rising Seven Years' War |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel of the Regiment |
John Drummond |
The Royal Scots was a special army group in France. It was also known as the Royal-Ecossais or Lord John Drummond's Regiment. Most of its soldiers were Scottish people who had left Scotland because they supported the Jacobite cause. This meant they wanted the old royal family, the Stuarts, to be kings again.
This regiment was created in 1744. They are famous for fighting in Scotland during the Jacobite Rising of 1745. The Royal Scots regiment was closed down in December 1762. Most of its soldiers then joined another French army group called the Irish Brigade.
How the Royal Scots Regiment Started
The Royal Scots regiment was formed in August 1744. A man named John Drummond started it. He was the younger son of the 2nd Duke of Perth. John Drummond was a Catholic and supported the Stuart royal family. He had been punished for his part in the Jacobite Rising of 1715. During the 1745 Rising, Drummond showed he was a skilled and reliable officer.
Many Scottish people who supported the Stuarts were already serving in the French army. They were part of the Irish Brigade. John Drummond himself was a captain in this group. However, it was hard to get more Scottish people to join. Many Scots did not like serving under Irish officers. They preferred to join Dutch army groups instead.
So, the French government decided to create a Scottish regiment. This was a key part of their plan for a possible fight in Scotland. They wanted to give important officer jobs to Highland chiefs who were loyal to the Stuart family. A British spy claimed he helped start the regiment. He said he met the French king, Louis XV, after a battle. The official order to create the regiment was given on December 3, 1743. France declared war on Britain in March 1744. The first officers for the Royal Scots started their jobs on August 1, 1744.
Besides Scots already in the Irish Brigade, recruiters looked for new soldiers in Scotland. They were active in late 1744 and into 1745. New soldiers sailed from ports on the east coast, like Montrose. Many ship captains there supported the Jacobite cause. Some soldiers who had deserted from the British Army also joined. Over time, the regiment included men from England and Ireland. It also had soldiers of Scottish or French background. Later, the group became even more mixed. In 1749, one company had soldiers from many different countries.
What the Royal Scots Looked Like
The Royal Scots regiment was planned to have 12 companies. Each company had 55 men. One company was made of grenadiers, who threw grenades. The other 11 companies were fusiliers, who used muskets.
Even though officers did not always wear standard uniforms, the soldiers had special clothes. They wore dark blue coats in the French style. The coats had orange-red parts, called "facings," which were known as "Scottish red." They also wore waistcoats in the same orange-red color. Their trousers were white, and they had hats with lace. These uniforms were saved for important events, like battles. For everyday use, they usually wore rough grey clothes.
During the 1745 Rising, Jacobite soldiers wore white cockades in their hats. These were special ribbons that showed their loyalty. Some people say they wore the Scottish woollen blue bonnet in Scotland. But this was probably only for officers or new soldiers who joined later.
The regiment's special flags, called colours, were recorded in 1748. They showed a St Andrew's Cross, which is the flag of Scotland. They also had thistles, which are a Scottish symbol. There was a fleur-de-lis, a French symbol, and their motto. The motto was Nemo me impune lacessit, which means 'No one assails me with impunity'. This means 'No one attacks me without getting hurt'.
Where the Royal Scots Fought
The Royal Scots first served under a general named Saxe. Many people say they were at the Battle of Fontenoy in May 1745. But this might only mean some parts of the regiment were there.
In late November 1745, they sailed to Scotland. Not all French ships could get past the British navy. One company was captured near the Dogger Bank. But Drummond and the rest of the regiment reached Montrose on December 7. They arrived safely because of a strong storm.
Most of the regiment helped at the Siege of Stirling in late January 1746. They built places for cannons while under enemy fire. This caused many injuries. In February, they tried to get more soldiers in Perth. This was not very successful. But the regiment still had about 350 soldiers by the time of the Battle of Culloden.
At Culloden, the Royal Scots were likely on the right side of the second line of soldiers. After the first Jacobite attack failed, the Royal Scots formed a square shape. This was a defensive move before they surrendered. Other parts of the regiment helped some Jacobite groups escape. They surrendered two days later.
At first, the government was unsure what to do with British soldiers in the Royal Scots. Were they rebels or prisoners of war? France responded by threatening to arrest all British people in France without travel papers. The British government then changed its mind. Most soldiers from the French regiments were eventually set free. Even though many were Scottish or English Protestants, the authorities did not want more problems. However, some soldiers who had deserted from the British Army faced severe punishment.
During 1747, the regiment got new soldiers. This was to make up for those lost at Culloden or held as prisoners. Back in Europe, John Drummond fought at the Siege of Bergen op Zoom in 1747. He was a Brigadier in charge of soldiers in the trenches. His regiment did not seem to join him there. They were first recorded in October as part of the Armee de Saxe at Nieuport. Drummond died at Bergen op Zoom near the end of the siege. Lewis Drummond then became the Colonel, and Lancelot Cuthbert became the Lieutenant-Colonel.
From 1757, the Royal Scots' leader was David Wemyss, Lord Elcho. He was a veteran of the 1745 Rising who lived in exile. Elcho was very unhappy when the regiment was closed down. He was also unhappy with his experiences serving the Jacobites and the French. Other important Jacobite exiles also served as officers. These included Ewen MacPherson of Cluny, Donald MacDonnell of Lochgarry, and Archibald Cameron of Lochiel. Archibald Cameron was the captain of the regiment's grenadier company.
The Royal Scots continued to serve during the Seven Years' War. They often had duties guarding places. The regiment was closed down as the war ended. The traditions of the Royal Scots regiment were kept alive by the French Army's 87th Infantry Regiment. This regiment existed until it was closed in 1940.
