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Thank you!

I suppose so... but it was poor men from all over Britain, not just Scotland.

I looked it up on wikipedia and you are absolutely correct! The Enfield was first issued to troops in the Crimea in February 1855 and this battle took place in October 1854. Thanks for watching!

Scotland was also bankrupt due to its failed attempt to create its own colonies, which led to it signing the Union with England. As I addressed in this video, General Wolfe was a veteran of Culloden and his Highland soldiers were mostly former Jacobites, hence his particularly contemptuous and racist view of the Highlanders. The drop in Scotland's population was largely due to the Highland Clearances, caused by the Agricultural Revolution and clan chiefs evicting their tenants to make way for large-scale sheep farming. This was not directly related to the Union. And the population decline was certainly nothing to do with Scottish soldiers being used as "cannon fodder" in the British army!

​@Weasel-vp8zk exactly. Scotland would have been nothing without the Act of Union. Many Highland regiments were raised. Perhaps a bit like the Gurkas, they saw it as a mechanism to a steady income.

I don't know much about WW2 so I can't give an opinion on that event.

They were sent to keep the french in the war,, the royal navy repeatedly tried to evacute them once they became surrounded,, and the 51st highland division had many a English battalion in it,, Durham light infantry,, Northumberland fusiliers,, etc,,

The British also lost in Greece and Malaysia, but...two years later they'd reorganised and were winning major battles in North Africa which would lead to the invasion of Italy and pushing that country out of the war.

Not all "Jocks" are/were Kelts.

The Lancashire fusiliers,, the regiment with the most battle honours and a score of other English county regiments would like to differ! If you would care to mention these hard fought battle's were said ,,Celtic regiments,, fought that didn't have a English battalion involved

@waynenash6008 my friend I'm not taking away the fact that the British infantry is the best in the world or taking away the hard graft said homee country regiments have fought. However I meant as a point for example the 36th Ulster division at the Somme for one where the only ones to break the German line that day. I could talk about tumbledown withh the Scots and Welsh guards. Rorukres drift the thin red line I could keep going. I'm just making a point that the British empire and the British military beniftted from having such soldiers in their arsenal since the union of 1707. Some of the best soldiers I served with were Englishmen and the best platoon sgt I ever had was a lancs bloke. Again my intention was not to offend.

@josiahfinley9075 well thanks for clarifying,, Rourke's drift were the 24th foot,, 2nd Warwickshire rgt,, 11 Welsh men present ,, the vast majority Englishmen,, theres a lot of shite being talked on this thread,, I'm normally the first to big up the Scots and Irish soldiery but can't stand people talking bollox,, if you want a example of unstoppable Scottish infantry look up the assaye campaign under wellington,, the 74th and 78th performed outstandingly throughout,, against massive odds, the enemy general remarked to his officer's as they advanced,, gentleman as long as you live you will never see better infantry, nothing on earth can stop them,,

Scottish nationalists like to make it seem like Scotland was a victim of imperialism rather than a partaker in British imperialism. The truth is that Scotland was heavily involved in and benefitted from the Empire. Scots in the British army were not reluctant "cannon fodder", they were fierce soldiers and many were eager imperialists.

@Weasel-vp8zkwell said

@@darkstarr2321 Thank you!

@hamishbrown9778 #indyisdead TFFT

Give this anti English rubbish a rest they are our brothers 🇬🇧

I think they were heroic soldiers for sure. However, I would not celebrate them for being "imperial heroes" because there was very little heroic about the British Empire.

@Weasel-vp8zk while I agree with your last comment I feel the same about all empires including the viking empire that also founded the russian empire.

In this video I'm specifically talking about Highland regiments, but it is true that even in Highland regiments there were Englishmen.

@ I should have been specific Black Watch and A&SH.

@John-h7l9e In what years did your relatives serve in the Black Watch and where? I'm interested to know because I also have ancestors who served in the Black Watch (though mine were Scots not English).

@Weasel-vp8zk Black Watch is my Grandfather in the Great War. My Uncle was with A&SH in the late 50s early 60s.

​@John-h7l9e Interesting! My great grandfather and great-great grandfather on my mum's side were in the Black Watch during the world wars.

You have a good point, I should have talked more about the casualty rate among Scottish regiments compared to English ones rather than just focussing on the recruitment of Highland soldiers. I certainly think this video could be longer and more detailed! From the wars I’ve researched, I don’t think casualties among Scottish soldiers were much heavier than among regiments recruited in England (apart from perhaps in proportion to the population because Scotland, particularly the Scottish Highlands, has a much smaller population than England). Certain Highland regiments like the Black Watch were unbelievably tenacious in combat, which obviously resulted in staggering casualties at times. But they weren’t being chucked at the enemy as “cannon fodder”. They were courageous, determined soldiers. To be honest, the ‘cannon fodder’ argument isn’t as big a thing as I may have implied it was in this video. It’s just a rhetoric which I’ve heard repeated in several comments under videos (not all mine) on the Jacobite Risings etc. I’m sure it isn’t a main talking point among Scottish nationalists in reality! However, I think I have a point when I say that Scottish nationalists can be quite keen to make it seem like Scotland was the victim of imperialism rather than an eager, active partaker in British imperialism. I get the general impression that lots of people think the English were entirely to blame for the Empire. This is of course is completely untrue… Scotland was heavily involved in and benefitted from the Empire.

Independence can't come soon enough 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Saorsa thig, creidsinn ann an Alba 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

@@CoolHandLuke-q1eif you want to wave goodbye to 300 years of your own countries history, then yeah

@@TheGrowler55 Long live the union. We Scots need England just as they need us. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Stronger together .

Some generals have treated their soldiers in a very reckless way. However, this isn't usually the case because large casualties and poor morale aren't great for winning a war.

That's a 4% death rate in Aberfedly... a painful loss for sure but not all that high. I'm sure there's villages down in the South of England where a much higher proportion of the populace was killed. Local communities all over Britain were decimated by WW1. Unless I've misunderstood your comment and you are in fact trying to reinforce my argument that Scottish soldiers weren't used as "cannon fodder"?

@Weasel-vp8zkIt’s a 25% death rate for men of fighting age!

@@billduff2757 I think that is probably quite average for small British villages during WW1 and isn't particularly unique to Scotland. It wasn't uncommon for whole units to be wiped out during that terrible conflict. The mass casualties of industrial warfare was a major shock to Britain, which had previously been fighting technologically-inferior native forces across the Empire.

There is no doubt that the unpopular union with England increased support for the Jacobites, simply because they were fighting against the British government and the Hanoverian dynasty. However, I don't know as much about the 1715 Rising. My expertise are in the 1689 and 1745 Risings, which were both highly religious affairs with Scots extremely divided.

I've never heard the term 'sweaties' before...

@Weasel-vp8zk rhyming slang 'sweaty sock...jock'

If you actually called a Scottish person like me a sweatie you'd be picking your teeth out of your arrsshole for the next month.

And you pole dancers love surrendering. What was your point?

@@jonfallis305 racist comments - you widnae get away wi that wi any other nationnality.

You're entitled to your own opinions. But did you watch the video?

I never claimed that every Scottish soldier was a fervent unionist. I'm sure many, if not most, of them felt they were fighting for Scotland above all else. However, the extreme heroism, discipline and tenacity displayed by Highland soldiers in wars across history shows they were mostly loyal and dedicated to their king and the British Empire. Otherwise the Highland regiments would have more instances of mutiny and desertion in their history of service. They were clearly well-motivated troops, and largely viewed as elite soldiers in the British army.

@Weasel-vp8zk I would say that the vast majority are loyal and dedicated to their comrades and regiment. As you say its very difficult to disentangle the general motives and the politics. But the powers that be, control the narrative in the hope of keeping the status quo. History is very subjective. But a lack of recruits, shortage of money and recent events. Show what a cosy and uncritical view can do.

Poverty drove most men to join the army definitely the Irish loyalty to family and their comrades after that they didn't care as long as they got paid and the elitests running the United kingdom definitely didn't care about them . Irish English Scots or Welsh they were just cannon fodder to line the pockets of the elitests

Shock troops! How so? Please name one battle or instance were a Scottish battalion was moved during battle to replace a English, Irish, or Welsh one,, proceeding an assault,, the British army doctrine was if your in the part of the battlefield and it needs doing, then you do it,, every county regiment of old has a successful assault on their battle honours

@@waynenash6008 just ignore him. He's a blinkered NAT. Voted Sturgeon in - says it all about his IQ.

Interesting!

Scottish soldiers were certainly a backbone of the British army during the Empire days... and Irish soldiers too!

Not really they were just the more expendable. Not trying to annoy anyone I'm Irish, I knew a man who knew another man who fought in ww1 and he told him the Irish and Scots were always sent in to the front line first.

@@Minime163 I doubt that was always the case... Don't forget, English and commonwealth regiments also suffered horrendous losses and were involved in near-suicidal attacks during WW1. However, Irish troops were certainly viewed as more expendable than English (or Scottish) soldiers. Remember, Ireland was basically seen as a British colony, unlike Scotland. Most of the Irish population were Catholics, often being oppressed and disenfranchised by Britain and the Anglo-Irish aristocracy. And it wasn't just the British who used the Irish as "cannon fodder" in war. In the American Civil War, Irish immigrant troops in the Union army were often used in a reckless way, like at Fredericksburg in 1862.

@Weasel-vp8zk very true the reason English troops may have been speared abit more than Irish wasn't because the Irish were toughter or the leaders cared more about their English comrades but loss of English troops would mean loss of votes for politicians.

What absolute bollox,, I lost 3 great grandfather's during ww1, you do realise in mainland Britain we had conscription,, not the case in Ireland they were volunteers,, and formed two divisions,, I suggest you Google British fatalities during ww1 compared to Irish,, and stop typing drival

Interesting! To a certain extent, all soldiers' lives are expendable. However, the Highlanders were considered elite soldiers, so their lives were probably seen as less expendable than the lives of other troops.

Perhaps they were seen as elite, but what happened at St.Valery definitely affected the viewpoint of my father and others who managed to escape, a definite feeling if being hung out to dry by the government of the time. Saul David's book, After Dunkirk, is worth reading!

@@rodgeddes7655 WW2 is not my area of expertise so I can't make a comment on that specific event but I'm sure you know what you're talking about, especially as your father was there. Thanks for the book suggestion!

Did your father happen to mention the English battalions that were part of the highland division and shared their fate,, the 51st were landed in a desperate attempt to keep the french in the war,, they were chosen simply because they were available,,

@@waynenash6008 speaking from a neutral perspective from Ireland I'd say your comment is the most likely. All units been blitzed from air and afterwards artillery, no time for deliberate decision just who ever was unlucky enough to be at the back of the cue had to keep fighting so the rest could escape. It was a miracle anyone escaped.

The Appalachian Scots-Irish were indeed staunch American rebels and won a great victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. However, to my understanding, the Scots-Irish were not fully Celtic. They were "Ulster Scots" (Scottish Lowlanders of mostly Germanic descent who settled in the north of Ireland in the 1600s) who then emigrated to America. On the other hand, most Highland immigrants in America fought on the side of the British crown as loyalists.

@Weasel-vp8zkmost highlanders remember culloden so to say they were pro British is nonsense if anything they were the opposite it was the lowlanders that were more pro British especially Glasgow and edinburgh

@@johnharkness2342 It is a matter of historical fact that many Highlanders served loyally in the British army during wars throughout history. Certain clans even helped British government forces crush the Jacobite Risings. However, you are right in saying that Lowlanders were generally more pro-British than Highlanders.

@@johnharkness2342 During the 1715 Uprising "Military involvement: The commander of the entire British Force during this campaign against the Jacobites was John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, a Scottish Peer. John Campbell lead several thousand Scottish militia volunteers (who had joined in response to the Jacobite uprising) as well as the Portmore’s Dragoons, later to be renowned as the Scots Greys. Also the Scottish garrison at Edinburgh castle were involved in fighting off an attempt to take the castle by the Jacobites. Other pro Hanoverian troops were supplied by multiple clans and lead by Simon Fraser 11th lord of Lovat. [2] Scottish Political and clan support: Support was divided during this conflict, however some major Scottish clans and others in the nobility pledged their support for the Hanoverians against the Jacobites. Here’s a list: [3] Clan Campbell as well as their chief pledged their support Charles Cathcart, 8th Lord Cathcart Clan Fraser of Lovat and their Chief Simon Fraser, 11th lord of Lovat who was active in the conflict Clan Rose Clan Munro and sir Robert Munro 6th Baronet who played a major role at the siege of inverness Clan Grant Clan Gordon was split and fought on both sides during the conflict." 1745 " Many seem to insinuate this Jacobite rising was Scotland vs England over Scottish independence, but that simply isn’t the truth. To put it painfully simple, the Jacobite rebellion was Scottish and English Jacobites fighting other Scottish and English Hanoverians over who should be king of England and Scotland. There were many English Jacobites and there were many Scottish Hanoverians opposing them. In terms of sheer numbers within the British military as a whole there were more Scots in the British military (including the Navy) than were in the Jacobite army. So the insinuation it was an English Vs Scottish war is simply untrue. Due to the sheer number of different Scottish figures who served in this conflict I’ll try and stick to the major figures and generic bodies of men, I won’t be able to mention every single mentionable Scot. But anyway - Anti Jacobite Scots who supported of the Hanoverian/government: Duncan Forbes lord of culloden, the senior legal officer for Scotland first signed his support for the Hanoverians when he informed the government on the Jacobite/Bonnie Prince Charlie’s landings. William Sutherland 17th earl of Sutherland pledged his support for the government against the Jacobites at the very beginning of the conflict Clan Munro as well as Sir Robert Munro 6th Baronet of faolis who was awarded the command of an English (37th) regiment of foot, he died fighting the Jacobites at the battle of Falkirk Sir Harry Munro 7th Baronet (Robert Munros son) also served commanding the Loudon highland regiment against the Jacobites at the battle of Prestonpans, Harry also commanded a policing regiment in the highlands in the years after the end of the uprising. John Hay, 4th Marquess of Tweeddale a Scottish Nobleman was an active outspoken anti Jacobite during the conflict. Famously underestimating the ability of the Jacobite army in his letters to the Government commanders in Scotland. John Home was a Scottish minister, soldier and author, he joined as a volunteer against Bonnie Prince Charlie, and was taken prisoner at the Battle of Falkirk. With many others he was carried to Doune castle in Perthshire, but soon escaped. George Preston was a Scottish army officer and volunteered to serve in the Edinburgh castle garrison and held out even after Edinburgh itself was taken and the castle surrounded by Jacobites. (The garrison itself was also mostly Scottish volunteer militia)"

@@josephcarroll8262 weren't the jocabite wars about who should sit on the British throne and not actually about Scottish independence bonny prince Charles v king George or who ever was the sitting monarch at the time

Yes, I know. I'm guessing you've watched AtunSheiFilms' video on it. However, in this video I was merely assessing the historical accuracy of the battle scene.

Thanks for commenting. That's very interesting!

Thank you!

Yes, tartan can be quite good camouflage when more subdued colours are used. There were no clan tartans at the time so a clansmen would've basically worn whatever tartan they liked and sometimes multiple different tartans.

A true Cavalier!

Nor have I seen the full thing and I don't intend to either!

I haven't heard about this before. Please could you tell me a little more?

@Weasel-vp8zk I believe it was in a Murray Pittock or one of the seminars on the Jacobites or Culloden that I learned it. The night before Culloden was Cumberlands b day. He gave his men a party so to say. They drank an ate. The prince an lord George Murray left out in two parties to surprise attacks the Hanoverian camp. When the princes party got within war shot of the camp, Murray turned back for some reason or had already pulled back without telling them. They say this is why after Culloden the prince was saying he had been betrayed. Probably for that and for the clan chiefs voting to turn back at derby. The prince wanted to press on. RUclips search Murray Pittock Culloden an Murray Pittock Jacobites. Really good seminars on the Jacobites told not from the perspective of the govt forces. Check them out tho brotha. And a health to the mole, that dug the hole, that felled the horse, that broke the Dutchman's neck. 👑 🦄⚔️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚔️🦄

God save King George!

I have never excused the government troops for bayonetting the wounded Jacobites or killing women and children. However, reprisals and the ruthless pursuit of a fleeing enemy was commonplace in the 18th century, not that this is a justification. The Jacobites likewise murdered retreating or surrendering government soldiers. Highland clans were also not above killing women and children in feuds. Did you know that it was mostly Highlanders loyal to the Hanoverians who hunted for rebels and carried out reprisals following Culloden? My own Scottish ancestors, the Grants of Glenmoriston, had their homes burned down by Lord Loudon and his Highland soldiers for supporting the Jacobites...

I think it would be hard to prove the exact number of Scots who fought on either side during the '45 Rising, apart from at specific battles like Culloden. However, there were undoubtedly many Scots fighting against the Jacobites, including Highlanders serving in "independent Highland companies" (militias). In the aftermath of Culloden it was mostly Scots who carried out punitive raids and reprisals on former Jacobites.

Be careful though... falsely romanticising warrior societies like the Highland clans is effectively ignoring or glossing over the atrocities and morally reprehensible acts they committed. Yes, you can celebrate warriors of the past and your ancestors for their martial skill and bravery but never forget the dark side of these men.

Thanks for the recommendation!

I disagree with you about the Glorious Revolution but thanks for commenting anyway. I also really like folk songs!

Let me know if you have any ideas for future videos I could make on the Jacobite risings!

@@Weasel-vp8zk yes, an that's fine that u disagree. There's nothing wrong with that at all. What's done is done. The Hanoverians won.

@@Weasel-vp8zk Have you ever heard of a book called the Lyon in mourning? It covers some of the actual sentiment of the Jacobites just after Culloden. We must be honest, a lot of the narrative put out by the Hanoverians after the 45 is ofcourse going to be heavily biased towards the enemy, as is in all situations. The Lyon of mourning is a collection of interviews an stories with Jacobites taken by a reverend I believe named Forbes. I'd like to interest you in checking it out if you haven't already. Also, Murray Pittock has alsotnof great historical work on the Jacobite risings, Charlie an Culloden. He has a few lectures on RUclips, id like to interest you in maybe hearing one of them. To have a more rounded view of what the Jacobites actually did an thought. I'm afraid the modern narrative is heavily biased. Especially in the case of Charles. This is because over the decades historians were recycling the same Hanoverian narrative not realizing that it wasn't all necessarily true. I hope you are having a splendid day. An hope none of my many comments offended you. I am grateful you made them.

@@Sonny-m1f I haven't heard of that book, I will see if I can buy a copy sometime. Sounds like an interesting read.

Thanks! I also love Jacobite songs but am less enamoured with the actual Jacobite cause, which I strongly believe was unjustified.

for examples of real military marches 'sarsfields men', 'the march of the king of Loais' and 'molly bloom' would be better

Seems like you’re trying REALLY hard to be offended? Tipperary is a song about an Irish soldier worried his sweetheart will run off with another, and the Connaught Rangers WAS an Irish infantry regiment, which primarily recruited from the west of Ireland…

@@wardy6224 I suppose your right about the Connaught Rangers but objectively speaking they were not an Irish military, it was a British regiment. the American 69th isn't an Irish military just because it contains those of Irish decent. and if you research the creater of 'Tipperary' it's am Englishman making fun of the Irish "if I make mistakes in spelling... remember it's the pen that's bad"

@@wardy6224 also not really offended just a bit pedantic, like you said west of Ireland is pretty unnecessary as the province of Connaught is it's own regional term, west of Ireland is an odd term to use

@@wardy6224 odd question but what's with your username, is it the name ward with a y or is it based around a content creator

Indeed they are. I think 'Wha Wadna Fecht for Cherlie' is the original and then 'Wha Saw the 42nd' kept the tune but changed the lyrics.

​@@Weasel-vp8zkexactly