the unofficial pages

Badge for Highland Light Infantry came in small and large scroll,
both being in use from 1902-52

The 73rd Highlanders were raised by John MacKenzie, Lord Macleod, as the first clan Regiment in 1777 in response to the outbreak of the American War of Independence. In 1786 the Regiment was renumbered as the 71st Highlanders and wore the MacKenzie tartan kilt. In 1787 war in India necessitated the raising of more Regiments for foreign service and the 74th Highlanders were formed in that year in the City of Glasgow. At the Cardwell reforms of 1881 the 71st and the 74th were linked as the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Highland Light Infantry (as the 71st had been known since 1809). In 1923 the Regiment officially became known as the ‘City of Glasgow Regiment’.

The next major reform of the infantry post-1881 came in 1957 when thirty Regiments amalgamated into fifteen pairs. The RSF and HLI were selected for amalgamation and this officially took place in Edinburgh on 20th January 1959. The new Regiment was titled The Royal Highland Fusiliers ( Princess Margaret’s Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment ).

In honour of both Regiments, the RHF still wears the HLI’s Mackenzie tartan trews (trousers) and retains the Flamimg Grenade cap badge from the RSF.