Black Watch

Black Watch or Royal Highland Regiment,Scottish infantry regiment. The first companies were raised in 1725 to watch the rebellious Scottish highlands and keep the peace, and the regiment was formed 1739–40. It became known as the Black Watch because of the dark colors of the regimental tartan. It was for a time the 43d, but after 1749 it was the 42d regiment. In 2006 a military reorganization made the Black Watch the 3d Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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