New Review: Christine Dorsey’s The Renegade – Well Written Post Culloden Love Story Between a Scottish Warrior and an English Lady

This book was first published as The Renegade and the Rose and is now book one in The Renegade, Rebel and Rogue trilogy that features three heroes, a Scot, an Irishman and an Englishman, who cross paths on Drummossie Moor at the battle of Culloden in Scotland in 1746 when the Scots knew a defeat that would forever scar their homeland.

This first story tells of Keegan MacLeod whose father summoned him home to stand with his three brothers at Culloden in the hopes of restoring a Stuart to the throne. But the battle of Culloden was lost from the beginning and Keegan’s brothers are killed. Sheltering his wounded father, Keegan hands over his sword when British officer Foxworth Morgan assures him that his father will be spared. But, instead, his father is tortured and killed and Keegan is jailed and sentenced to hang. Keegan uses his time in goal to nurture his hatred of the Englishman who denied him and his father a warrior’s death.

With the help of his French valet, Keegan escapes from prison, and decides to take hostage Lady Zoe Morgan, the sister of Foxworth Morgan. Zoe has lived the life of an invalid since a childhood illness, convinced by her nurse she is weak and frail. She is shocked when the Scot takes her hostage and leaves word for her brother to come for her in Scotland.

As they begin their arduous journey north, it appears to Keegan that despite her constant haranguing about her ill health (and, yes, that was annoying), the girl he has taken hostage is quite braw. So much so, she is able to escape Keegan, but then falls into the hands of a notorious smuggler who takes Keegan captive as well, hoping for a large ransom for both the girl and the Scot when he delivers them to the English in Scotland.

Well written and cleverly done, Dorsey was able to make me believe Keegan could fall in love with an Englishwoman even after he lost his family to the cruel English at Culloden. And she also made me feel Keegan’s pain at losing the castle that had been the seat of the MacLeods for centuries. Zoe is a woman who changes much once she is free from those who would coddle her, thriving on the adventures she and Keegan have. She encourages the Scot to look to the future and not to the past.

I found the story of Keegan and his clan moving and thought Dorsey did an excellent job of portraying their loss and their dreams for the future. I would read the rest in the series (and am planning on reading the Irish one that comes next!). I recommend it.

Here's the new eBook cover. I prefer the older one but since the title has been shortened, I wanted you to have this should you be looking for it on Amazon!

Best Scottish/Highlander Historical Romances List!

As Geddes MacGregor once said, “No one in Scotland can escape from the past. It is everywhere, haunting like a ghost." Scotland’s past is the subject of my list below, romance novels I have come to love that are set in the past of Scotland and that magical part of Scotland called the Highlands. Some are romances with a Scottish hero. All are rated 5, 4 ½ or 4 stars.

·                A Dangerous Love, The Border Lord's Bride, The Captive Heart, The Border Lord And The Lady, The Border Vixen and Bond Of Passion (from The Border Chronicles) by Bertrice Small

·                A Gentle Feuding by Johanna Lindsey

·                A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught

·                A Year and a Day by Virginia Henley

·                Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught

·                Beloved Rogue by Penelope Williamson

·                Bride of the MacHugh by Jan Cox Speas

·                Charming the Shrew and Daring the Highlander (MacLeod duology) by Laurin Wittig

  ·               Come The Morning, Conquer the Night, Seize the Dawn, Knight Triumphant, The Lion in Glory, When We Touch and The Queen’s Lady (the Graham series) by Heather Graham Pozzessere

·                Desiring the Highlander by Michele Sinclair

·                Devil of Kilmartin by Laurin Wittig

·                Devil’s Mistress by Heather Graham

·                Forever My Love by Rebecca Brandewyne

·                Heartstorm by Elizabeth Stuart

·                Highland Rebel by Judith James

·                Highland Warrior, Highland Outlaw and Highland Scoundrel (the Campbell trilogy) by Monica McCarty

·                If You Dare, If You Desire and If You Deceive (the MacCarrick Brothers trilogy) by Kresley Cole

·                Kilgannon and The Wild Rose of Kilgannon by Kathleen Givens

·                Knight of Fire by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)

·                Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn (and all six in her MacGregor/Children of the Mist Series)

·                Lord of Fire by Emma Merritt

·                Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain

·                My Lord Monleigh by Jan Cox Speas

·                My Wicked Enchantress by Meagan McKinney

·                On a Highland Shore and Rivals for the Crown by Kathleen Givens

·                Silk and Steel by Cordia Byers

·                Sound of the Heart by Genevieve Graham

·                Tempted and The Border Hostage, duology by Virginia Henley

·                The Bedeviled Heart and The Daring Heart by Carmen Caine

·                The Chieftain’s Curse by Francis Housden

·                The Guardian by Margaret Mallory

·                The Legend and The Destiny by Kathleen Givens

·                The Magnificent Rogue by Iris Johansen

·                The Passionate One, The Reckless One and The Ravishing One (the McClairen’s Isle trilogy) by Connie Brockway

·                The Pride of Lions, The Blood of Roses and Midnight Honor by Marsha Canham

·                The Renegade (first released as The Renegade and The Rose) by Christine Dorsey

·                The Queen’s Lady by Shannon Drake (aka Heather Graham)

·                The Scotsman by Juliana Garnett (aka Virginia Brown)

·                To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt (one of the Four Soldiers series)

·                To Conquer a Highlander, Highland Hellcat and Highland Heat by Mary Wine

·                White Knight by Jaclyn Reding

·                Without Honor by Elizabeth Stuart

·                X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts

     And:

·                Outlander (the only time travel on the list; not all in the series take place in Scotland , though the hero is a Highlander) by Diana Gabaldon

·                Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband (and others in the Daughters of the Glen series, the only fantasy on the list) by Melissa Mayhue

·                A Hunger Like No Other (the only paranormal on the list, but it’s a superb story and features a Highland hunk to die for) by Kresley Cole

New Review: Paula Quinn’s CONQUERED BY A HIGHLANDER – Superb Storytelling in this next in the series

This is the 6th of Quinn's Highlander romances that tell the stories of the MacGregors of Skye and it’s truly a worthy installment. Her writing just gets better and better. This story begins in 1688, 3 years after TAMED BY A HIGHLANDER and tells of Colin MacGregor, who was featured in that book as an able young soldier just joining King James II's army. Now Colin is a seasoned warrior, an assassin for the king and a spy sent to Dartmouth Castle (pictured below) to uncover a plot of English nobles to support William of Orange and welcome his invading army.

Quinn has created a wonderful heroine in Lady Gillian Dearly, a single unwed mother and daughter of the Earl of Essex, who because of her son’s birth has been banished to this remote castle governed by her lecherous cousin, Lord Devon. She lives for her 3-year-old son, Edmund, who Colin befriends and teaches games, all the while he is ingratiating himself into the group of Devon’s men disguised as Colin Campbell. Quinn expertly captures the heart of the young mother.

As always, Quinn's story is true to history and weaves the characters' lives into the events that affected the times. Unlike some "historical" romance, Quinn actually gives you real history, not just a general background setting. That kind of research takes time, but it pays off in a tale that will hold readers captive. The plot is intriguing and will keep you turning pages. Her characters are well developed and believable and the romance slowly develops as Colin and Gillian gain admiration for each other.

I recommend this one and all in Quinn's Highlander romances (see full list below and my other reviews of her books). The first one, LAIRD OF THE MIST, is a particular favorite of mine (Callum MacGregor is my favorite of her drool worthy heroes).

The MacGregor Series:

Laird of the Mist (Callum MacGregor and Kate Campbell)
A Highlander Never Surrenders (Graham Grant and Claire Stuart)

Children of the Mist:

Ravished by a Highlander (Robert MacGregor and Davina Montgomery)
Seduced by a Highlander (Tristan MacGregor and Isobel Fergusson)
Tamed by a Highlander (Mairi MacGregor and Connor Grant)
Conquered by a Highlander (Colin MacGregor and Gillian Dearly)

New Review: Judith James’ HIGHLAND REBEL – Highland Romance from a Great Author!

Judith James has written a solid historical romance set in Scotland, England and Ireland in the late 17th century.

It begins in 1685, as Charles II dies and James II ascends to the throne. Jamie Sinclair, Earl of Carrick and Carlyle, an English peer and a spy who is a master of disguise, converts to Catholicism and serves the new king as he needs the money. Leading soldiers to Scotland to dispel the Protestants, Jamie marries a Scottish lass to save her from rape. He first thinks she is a camp follower; little does he know that she is Catherine Drummond, laird of clan Drummond and an heiress with a title and fortune. Cat is also proficient with a sword and was raised at the French court. Jamie intends to annul the marriage and take the wealthy English bride that James promised him, but when her clan rescues Cat, Jamie loses that option. So, he decides to recapture his new wife. But she sends him back to England. Then Cat finds she needs Jamie and comes looking for him, offering him a divorce and the good graces of his Sire if he will aid her. He needs what she offers so he accepts. In the meantime, they find great camaraderie and have many adventures wearing various disguises.

Though Jamie enjoys many women, and particularly likes the lowborn because he was raised by servants. He tells Cat he can only offer pleasure and friendship and grows surly when she mentions love. But Cat is tired of his whores and his games. When Jamie leaves her for to pursue William's claim to the throne, and her clan calls, she goes back to Scotland. Then James II falls to William and Mary and war with the Highlands looms. And Jamie fears for Cat.

Cat is a wonderful heroine, independent, strong willed and able to take care of herself. Wise in the ways of the world but ignorant of love, Cat can rule a clan but finds she is unwilling to play Jamie's games. Jamie is a wonderful kaleidoscope of a character...so many sides and faces, all of them charming. And somewhere in them is his heart. The secondary characters are varied and well developed. James creates a world that fascinates.

This is a great romance rich in history and details, including the court of King James II. Judith James has a unique writing style and weaves a wonderful story with a believable romance. I highly recommend it.

The Soul of the Highlands – Bagpipes!

Since it's Scottish/Highlander month on my blog, I’d best say a word about the pipes that play the music that expresses the soul of the Highlands. Most people assume bagpipes originated in Scotland, but in fact the Romans introduced them to the Scots.

The early Romans used them as outdoor instruments during the building of roads or gathering of the harvest. Pipers would march through the village to announce the beginning of the workday. They also used them during religious ceremonies for the sacrifices to the gods and for funerals.

Early Roman soldiers, and later Scottish soldiers, used the bagpipe as an instrument of war to rouse the troops, and they are still viewed that way by some today. The resonating sound of the pipes can be heard up to 10 miles away so they were an effective call to arms. Unfortunately, after the Battle of Culloden in 1745, the English saw them as such and outlawed the use of bagpipes. Their haunting music was not heard for many years. (The piper pictured is Angus Mackay, piper to Queen Victoria.)

What are Bagpipes?

Bagpipes are musical instruments classified as aerophones, or reed instruments that utilize an air reservoir. The reservoir allows an uninterrupted stream of air to be directed through the reeds. The bagpipe arose from the desire to make reed instruments easier to play, especially for lengthy spells. An early version of the bagpipes was constructed using animal skin. The hollow leg bones of small animals were attached to the instrument with holes drilled into them. These holes gave the player the ability to play various pitches and tones.

Ancient Origins

While there several theories about the first bagpipes, many scholars believe they originated somewhere in the in the Middle East before the time of Christ, in Mesopotamia, Sumeria, or perhaps even India or Persia, in the form of a crude instrument comprised of reeds stuck into a goatskin bag.

Various forms of bagpipes appear in ancient records in many parts of the western world, including a reference from 425 BC in the play The Acharnians by the Greek playwright Aristophanes. The Oxford History of Music claims that a sculpture of bagpipes was found on a Hittite slab at Eyuk in the Middle East, dated to 1000 B.C.

While there is strong evidence that the Romans and Greeks had early versions of bagpipes, the exact form isn’t well documented. The instruments themselves were made entirely or almost entirely of organic materials (wood, bones and skins) and not durable in the long-term. They tended to be instruments of the "common" people, and were likely used outdoors and without concern for their preservation.

Regardless, the Romans are credited by most for bringing the bagpipes to Scotland and other parts of the world they conquered. And in giving them to the Scots, they provided a sound that will forever be associated with the Highlanders’ soul.

New Review: Carmen Caine’s THE DARING HEART – Unusual Scottish Historical Romance with a Venetian Heroine and Venetian Assassins

This is the third in Caine’s Scottish medieval series. Set in 1482, three years after The Bedeviled Heart, the story begins in Sarlat, France where Lord Julian Gray is awakened from sleep by a knife pressed against his ribs. The young woman wielding the stiletto is Liselle, sister to Orazio di Franco and a part of the Vindictam, the renowned Venetian family of assassins. Julian, who pretends to be a profligate spending his time drinking, gambling and wenching, is really the spy Le Marin who is keeping an eye on Alexander Stewart, the Duke of Albany, who wants to take the throne from his brother James III of Scotland. Liselle, who looks forward to the day she will be given her first assassin assignment is thrilled when she is sent to the Scottish court.

The first half of the story does not take place in Scotland and so there is a different feel to this one. Half the characters are Venetian assassins and there are many Italian words interwoven into the text. At times it felt more Italian than Scottish. It is a clever tale and well written and yes, there is Scottish history woven in, too. Cameron (from The Bedeviled Heart) is very much involved in trying to hold the clans together to fight the English as Julian flits around Europe, England and finally Scotland in his attempts to thwart Albany’s plans and deal with all the Italians. 

This is a good story though I did not like it as well as The Bedeviled Heart and that may be due to the heroine’s being a Venetian, and Julian’s inability to deal with her at times, and the more Italian historical feel. As with her other novels, there are no love scenes in this one but some good chemistry.

The Highland Heather and Hearts series (I recommend reading them in order as the characters pop up in each other’s stories):

The Kindling Heart (Bree & Ruan)

The Bedeviled Heart (Cameron & Kate)

The Daring Heart (Julian & Liselle)

The Bold Heart (Merry & Ewan—coming in 2014)

New Review: Francis Housden’s THE CHIEFTAIN’S CURSE – Unusual but Absorbing Tale from the 11th century Scottish Highlands

It took me a while to get used to the author’s writing style and the amount of introspection in between lines of dialog, but once I did, I found this tale from the Highlands held my interest. Housden has captured the feel of a medieval keep and has given us some wonderful characters.

Set in 1081 in Northeast Scotland, it tells of Euan, Laird of the McArthurs, and lord of Cragenlaw Castle, who desperately wants an heir but a witch’s curse has left him with three dead wives who lost their lives and his sons in childbirth. Morag Farquhar, only daughter of Baron Wolfsdale of Northumbria helped the young Scot 12 years earlier when she was 14 and he was severely wounded on the battlefield. When he was healed, she gave him her innocence only to have him leave her without a word. Now she is fleeing her brother who has succeeded her father as Baron Wolfsdale, and hoping to find a haven with her former lover.

Morag arrives at Euan’s castle on a stormy night with an 11-year-old boy in tow who she says is her brother. Euan doesn’t recognize Morag, but sees her as just the woman he needs when she tells him she is barren for he can take her as his leman without worrying about getting her with child (and causing her death). Having few options, and still caring for the man who left her all those years ago, Morag does not object. It’s pretty clear from the beginning that Rob is Euan’s child--and therefore his only heir--though Morag doesn’t reveal this to Euan. Morag, who is not a Scot, seems to blend in well with Euan’s clan, albeit the women keep their distance from her. 

Housden has developed the characters well and weaves an absorbing story of envy, treachery, lies and second chances. The lives of the main characters and families are all intertwined which leads to some fascinating twists and turns. I recommend it.

New Review: Cordia Byers’ SILK AND STEEL – Absorbing Tale from 14th Century Scotland—a wonderful, courageous heroine!

I didn’t have to read very far into this romance to know I had found a great romance. Set in the Borderlands of Scotland in 1333, it tells of a Scottish clan that is decimated by a battle with King Edward’s knights. Left in charge is the young 18-year-old heir who leads the clan in a last desperate attempt to retain control of their castle, Raven’s Keep. But they are unsuccessful, and though the young heir fights hard, Edward’s knight, Justin St. Claire, wins the day and claims the castle. It is only when he goes to have the young heir flogged that he realizes Lord Cregan’s heir is a woman.

Jamelyn (“Jami” to her men) is a courageous young woman who was raised as a son by her uncle, Lord Cregan. When King Edward, for his own purposes, commands Justin marry the rebellious girl who hates the English for what they have taken from her, the battle begins. Jamelyn means to outwit the arrogant Englishman who is critical of her and her people.

From the very beginning, I loved this heroine and finding out what would happen to her had me turning pages way past my bedtime. However, I have to say it was a bit of “loved her, hated him.” Jamelyn was manipulated by every man she’d known, first her uncle, then Justin, then Anthony (Justin’s friend) and even King Edward. Justin behaves the cur time and again, even flaunting his mistress in front of his wife. I was (at least at one point) tempted to feel sorry for his mistress because though she was a bitter, vengeful woman who would stop at nothing to have the man she wanted, she had loved Justin since she was 15.

It is an absorbing story that kept me reading late into night, unwilling to put it down. Byers brings many threads together at the end for a satisfying finish to a great story. I recommend it!

New Review: Genevieve Graham’s SOUND OF THE HEART – Sweeping Saga of the Scots’ Fate After Culloden and Life in the American Colonies

This is a sweeping historical saga, and companion to UNDER THE SAME SKY, Graham’s first novel. It covers more than a decade, and at times seems more historical fiction than romance but it does have a worthy love story running through it, so I consider it a crossover. It begins in 1745 with the Battle of Culloden that cut a dark scar on the history of Scotland as the English tried to wipe out a people whose desire for independence they could not abide.

Most of the story is told from the perspective of the hero, Dougal MacDonnell, whose father died in his arms at Culloden. Dougal doesn’t know the fate of his younger brothers but believes the youngest one may be dead. He believes his other brother, Andrew, with whom he is telepathically connected, may be alive. (Andrew’s story is told in book 1.)

Taken prisoner by the English and nearly starved, Dougal escapes with a young boy, Aiden, who Dougal protects as they travel to London and then back to Scotland where they live in a small crofter’s cottage for years.

Deep into the novel, Dougal discovers Glenna, a young Scots woman, and the two become lovers and live together for years only to be separated by the English and sent to the Colonies. Reluctantly, Dougal becomes a part of Montgomerie’s Highlanders wearing the only plaid allowed a Scot, the English Black Watch, as he searches for Andrew and Glenna in the Carolinas.

In her well-researched, superbly written saga, Graham shows the gritty side of war, the ugly filth of the streets of London, the irony of the Scots having to fight the Indians, rape of women (the heroine is raped), and the very real starvation faced in those dark days. It is rich in detail, superb in language depiction and the characters well developed. This is not, however, a classic historical romance given the nature of the events or the fact the hero and heroine are separated for long periods. Sometimes the focus is only on the hero’s adventures or the heroine’s perils (we don’t get the heroine’s point of view until the last third of the book).

It’s a story of great loss and survival when one would prefer death. (“Sometimes the sensation of loss was so intense it was as if someone had reached within her and yanked out whatever she needed to move forward.”) In the end it’s a story of the new life that can grow from such loss—and a new beginning, albeit with scars from the past.

It must have been like that for the thousands of Scottish (and Irish) who were driven from their countries by the English. It is an absorbing, worthy story that will give you a picture of what it was like to be a Scot and shipped to the colonies as an indentured servant for no greater crime than being a Scot. No wonder they became the backbone of General Washington’s Continental Army fighting with all their heart to enable America to throw off English rule.

New Review: Juliana Garnett’s THE SCOTSMAN – Superb Story of a Highland Chieftain who followed Robert the Bruce and the English beauty he loved!

What I immediately liked about this book was the history is so well woven into the story, it swept me into the minds of the Scots who followed Robert Bruce in their fight for freedom from the English rule. Aye, it's a grand tale.

Set in 1313-1314 when the Bruce and his men retook Stirling Castle and eventually gained military victory over King Edward, it tells the story of Sir Alexander Fraser, laird of his clan and avid Bruce follower, and Lady Catherine, daughter of the cruel English Earl of Warfield.

To free his brother and another of Bruce’s men taken captive by Warfield, Alex abducts Warfield’s beautiful daughter who is betrothed to a man she doesn’t know. Catherine is an intelligent independent woman who resents her father’s cruel indifference to her wishes not to wed. At first she finds Alex Fraser to be a crude barbarian but then she discovers he is as educated as she and a wise leader of his people. As for Alex, he is so taken with the red-haired, violet-eyed beauty, though he knows he risks his brother’s life, he cannot resist her. The chemistry slowly builds between Catherine and Alex in this well told tale. 

Garnett (aka Virginia Brown) includes wonderfully rich descriptions of life in both the English castle and the Scottish keep and adds meaningful dialog and well-developed characters for an enthralling story. Her action scenes are amazing (Chapter 25 had me biting my nails!). Her love scenes are truly well done and from the male perspective, too! What a great author! 

Needless to say, I highly recommend this one and I’ll be buying more of her medievals.

The Wearing of the Plaid!

“It is a coat of arms, the tartan, worn proudly for all men to see and take warning. And the plaid is an admirable piece of invention, serving as a suit of clothes or a blanket for sleeping or a braw protection against the wildest storm.” 

— Jan Cox Speas, My Lord Monleigh

What Scottish or Highlander historical romance would be complete without men wearing plaid? But did you know that many of the tartans we recognize today were the creations of tailors during the reign of Queen Victoria? Nevertheless, the basic concept of the plaid and the wearing of the kilt have their origin in the early Scottish and Irish clans and families, so we can take heart. Based upon my own research, I know the Highlanders were wearing plaid trews in the 12^th century.

The kilt, or philabeg (the older Gaelic name) that is now standard kit, has its origin in the older garment called the belted plaid. The pattern, or setts, of multicolored stripes and checks later came to identify the clan or regiment.

It is impossible to say precisely when the Highlanders’ cloak evolved into the long garment known as the belted plaid. Some say it was as early as the tenth or eleventh centuries. Others say the belted plaid came into being during the 16th century as a full-length garment whose upper half could be worn as a cloak draped over the shoulder, or brought up over the head. In any event, this long plaid was wrapped round the body and was known in Gaelic as the feileadh mor meaning large and folded, or pleated. It was normally made up of two pieces of material, the measurements being dictated by the size of the loom, which were stitched together.

It is generally thought that the Highlander originally put his plaid on by laying it out on the ground with a belt underneath, and pleating it until two aprons at either end remained. He lay down with the material about knee-height, folded over the aprons and fastened the belt. Then, he stood up and adjusted the rest of the plaid to suit his mood or the weather. When not used as a cloak, the upper part was pinned, but the sword arm would normally be left free.

The shortening of the feileadh mor to a form resembling that of the modern kilt is believed to have begun around 1725. Although the kilt is the most recognizable of the tartans, it also takes the form of trews (trousers), shawls and skirts.

Originally, the Highlanders used only the natural shades of the sheeps' wool, black, brown or white, in the designs of their tartan cloth. Later they employed a range of leaves, berries, bark and lichens as natural dyes to develop cloth patterns involving many colors. The birch tree, for instance, produced yellow; while the alder produced black or brown; heather gave orange; the crowberry or blaeberry, purple; the bramble, blue; and the flower of tormentil, red.

Urine was used as a source of ammonia to deepen and intensify colors and to remove grease. Before the dyeing was completed the wool was always washed and a mordant (from the Latin verb, mordere, “to bite”) was added to make the dye permanent. The substance used was often the salt of alum, copper or chrome, and iron mordanting was obtained from black peat bogs.

Rob Roy MacGregor

The first tartans were the result of individual weavers’ designs, which were slowly adopted to identify individual districts and finally clans and families. The first recognizable effort to enforce uniformity through an entire clan was 1618 when Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun, wrote to Murry of Pulrossie requesting that he bring the plaids worn by his men into “harmony with that of his other septs.”

After 1688, with the fall of the Stuart clan and rise in the spread of Jacobism, the English government took a more active role in the Highlands. Some might say it was just further oppression. In 1707, the Act of Union succeeded in temporarily uniting the political factions and clans that were opposed to the Act. The tartan came into its own as a symbol of active nationalism. The wearing of the tartan spread from the Highlands to the Lowlands, which were previously not known for the wearing of the tartan.

After the Rising of 1715, the English government raised regiments to curtail what they perceived to be lawlessness. A large number of Highland men enlisted serving in the private ranks. From the time they were first raised, these independent regiments became known as the Black Watch, a reference to the darkly colored tartans they wore. In 1725, six independent Black Watch companies were formed: three from Clan Campbell (a clan known for siding with the English), one from Clan Fraser, one from Clan Munro and one from Clan Grant. (The identification of Clan Campbell with the English Crown did not endear them to other clans.) Taking advantage of the partisan nature and warrior instincts of the Highlanders, the men of the Black Watch companies were authorized to wear the kilt and to bear arms, thus it was not difficult to find recruits. In 1740, the independent companies became a formal regiment and a new tartan was developed that has ever since been known as the Black Watch tartan.

Black Watch tartan

By 1746, the English government enacted a law making it illegal for Highlanders to own or possess arms. A year later, the Dress Act restricted the wearing of Highland clothes. Any form of plaid, philbeag, belted plaid, trews, shoulder belt or kilt was no longer allowed in public. And, of course, at Culloden an entire generation of Scottish leadership was wiped out. By the time the Dress Act was repealed in 1783, the fabric of Celtic life had been forever altered. Old traditions and customs were lost forever and, owing to the English, the wearing of the plaid was no longer a way of life for Highlanders. How ironic it is that Queen Victoria took interest in this lost culture the monarchy had destroyed.

During the 1800s, the wearing of the belted plaid began to be replaced by the kilt, a plaid that had the traditional pleats permanently sewn in place. And that is the garment we think of today.