regimental hospitality at stirling castle · below stirling castle on 10th february 1794 and...

The Argyll and Sutherland

HighlandersREGIMENTAL MUSEUM

Regimental Hospitality at Stirling Castle

Sans Peur - Without Fear

Ne Obliviscaris - Do not Forget

The museum, housed in the heart of Stirling Castle, traces the

history of the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders and the 93rd Sutherland

Highlanders up to the time of their amalgamation in 1881 when they

became the 1st and 2nd Battalions of The Argyll and Sutherland

Highlanders and thereafter to the present day. Our exhibition also

covers the history and lineage of the broader regimental family,

including the Militia, Volunteers and Territorials, Service Battalions,

the Combined Cadet Force and Affiliated Regiments.

“ The Russian Cavalry sweeping

towards us made the ground quiver

under their feet, gathering speed

at every stride, on towards that

thin red streak tipped with a line

of steel. Each man placed cartridges

between the buttons of his coat.

Aim, steady, fire”.

Eyewitness at Balaklava

25th October 1854

Regimental Tradition



93rd Sutherland Highlanders

In 1799 General William Wemyss,

kinsman of the Countess of

Sutherland, raised the 93rd.

The regiment first saw action at

the Cape of Good Hope. It was to

be in the Crimean War and later

in the Indian Mutiny that the

regiment truly distinguished itself:

seven Victoria Crosses were won

at the Relief of Lucknow.

At the Battle of Balaklava in the

Russian Crimea, the 93rd faced

the Russian cavalry charge.

Instead of forming the customary

square, the Highlanders formed a

line only two deep, repulsed the

attack, and earned the unique

nickname ‘The Thin Red Line’.

Both our antecedent regiments

were raised to face the military

threat from France.

91st Argyllshire Highlanders

In 1794 the Duke of Argyll asked

his kinsman Duncan Campbell

of Lochnell, to raise a regiment

from Argyllshire. It was embodied

below Stirling Castle on 10th

February 1794 and although

originally titled ‘98th’ the

regiment was soon renumbered

‘91st’. Its ranks first saw action in

the Napoleonic Wars, fighting the

Dutch at the Cape of Good Hope,

then in the Peninsula campaign

earning the Battle Honours

Rolica, Vimiera, Corunna,

Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes

and Toulouse, and subsequently

in the Waterloo campaign. There

followed many years of service in

South Africa.

The Gold Cross, one of only 163

ever awarded to members of the

British Army. Won by Lieutenant

Colonel Sir William Douglas of

Balgillo KCB who joined the 91st

in 1798. He was wounded at

Orthes and Toulouse.

Colonels-in-Chief

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ first Colonel-in-Chief was

Her Royal Highness Princess Louise, a daughter of Queen Victoria.

In 1871 the 91st provided the Guard of Honour at her wedding to

the Duke of Argyll and the following year the 91st was bestowed

the title Princess Louise’s Argyllshire Highlanders. She became

Colonel-in-Chief in 1914. She continued to follow activities with

great interest until her death in 1939.

On 21st April 1947 Her Majesty the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth,

graciously accepted to become the next Colonel-in-Chief on

her 21st birthday and has taken a very close interest in “her

Highlanders” ever since.

In 2006 Her Majesty The Queen relinquished her title of

The Colonel-in-Chief of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

when she became the first Colonel-in-Chief of the newly formed

Royal Regiment of Scotland. Her Majesty retains her links with the

Argylls as Royal Colonel of the Balaklava Company 5th Battalion

The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Regimental Silver

Military silver smithing uniquely

represents the pride felt by soldiers

both individually and collectively

in their regiment, its achievements

and its traditions within the

regimental messes. Displayed in our

exhibition is every type of silverware,

from the humble teaspoon, the

cigarette case, salvers, candelabras

and cups to the large ornate and

decorative centrepieces.

HRH Princess Louise,

the first Colonel-in-Chief of


Highlanders.

Royal Dining Room



The Royal Dining Room

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Welcome

On arrival at Stirling Castle guests will be piped into the top square

with a selection of pipe tunes including Regimental tunes such as

The Campbells are Coming, Highland Laddie and the Glenduarel

Highlanders before entering the Museum prior to dinner. Tours of

Stirling Castle can also be arranged.

Reception in the 91st and 93rd Room

Champagne and canapés prepared by the finest caterers will be

served in the 91st Room beneath the painting “ The Thin Red Line”

commemorating the Battle of Balaklava. The room records some

of the regimental history of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

and is rich in military heritage.

The Balaklava Tour

Let our narrator relive the battle of Balaklava and the courage

shown by the men of the 93rd. This will be followed by a tour of the

Regimental Museum.



Argylls’ Invitations

Guests will receive a personalised

invitation card designed to suit

the occasion, each embossed with

the Argylls’ crest: a keepsake to be

remembered.

Dinner in the Royal Dining Room

Dine in the military splendour

of The Argyll and Sutherland

Highlanders in Stirling Castle.

The Royal Dining Room has been

used to entertain the Colonel-

in-Chief, Her Majesty The Queen.

Dinner will follow in the unique

traditions of a Highland Regiment.

Highland dress is order of the day,

fine wines, a Gaelic whisky toast

and the haunting drone of the

pipes. The Royal Dining Room

can cater for 30 guests seated

around the dining table, fully

dressed with regimental silver,

porcelain and crystal.

The Pipe Major will announce

dinner with the officers’ call,

a traditional pipe tune

Piobaireachd of Domhnuill Dubh.

Dinner will be served under the

direction of the Regimental Mess

Sergeant who will look after you

royally.

HRH Princess Louise,

first Colonel-in-Chief of


Highlanders.

Mess Dining

The table is dressed in silver candelabras, selected objects

from the museum, silver pipe tune music and menu cards holders.

Argylls Regimental crested dining tableware, decanters and glass are

used throughout the evening. Thin Red Line whisky can be supplied.

Regimental Toasts

Dinner will be followed by the passing of the port, toasting

Her Majesty The Queen, a final set of pipe tunes and the traditional

Gaelic whisky toast given by the Pipe Major:

Slainte do’n Bhan Righ, slainte dhuibh uile gu leir -

Health to The Queen, health to you altogether.

Regimental Museum

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

The Castle, Stirling FK8 1EH

Telephone 01786 475165

[email protected]

www.argylls.co.uk

Whisky Tasting

Whisky is supplied through our

selected partner and guests can

learn some of the secrets of the

Highland malts.

Our own special blend can be

supplied as well as bespoke

decanters and glasses.



The Colours Room

The Colours Room

Experience the military splendour of the Colours Room of

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ Museum. The Colours

Room is frequently used for regimental occasions. Here you will

find The Sovereign’s and Regimental Colours, traditionally carried

into battle by Ensigns to provide the rallying point for the Battalion.

They are adorned with the principal Battle Honours awarded to

the Regiment’s battalions over the years - from Cape of Good Hope

1806 to Balaklava and Lucknow, from Mons and the Somme to

Malaya 1941-42 and Korea 1950-51. And the walls are adorned with

the sixteen Argyll holders of the Victoria Cross.

The room can cater for numbers of up to 60 guests for a conference

or reception followed by a buffet-style lunch or supper. This will

provide for a truly unique experience of regimental hospitality that

is only available to guests of our Museum.

Regimental Museum




[email protected]

www.argylls.co.uk

The Colours Tour

Follow the Colours into Battle as

our narrator tells the story of the

Colours and their significance to

the Regiment. Followed by a full

tour of the Regimental Museum.

The Officers Mess



’

The Officers’ Mess

A truly unique experience that is not available to everyday visitors.

The Officers’ Mess provides that unique opportunity to dine at the

very heart of the regiment, surrounded by regimental paintings

and glorious pieces of silver which tell their own story in the rich

history of the regiment. With pre-dinner drinks and dining for

up to twelve guests, the table will be dressed in traditional style

to provide guests with an occasion to remember. A piper will

play those evocative tunes of glory which evoke the Highland

heritage that has been carried over the generations, finishing

with the regimental marches Highland Laddie and

The Campbells Are Coming.

Regimental Museum




[email protected]

www.argylls.co.uk



Regimental Museum




[email protected]

www.argylls.co.uk

regimental hospitality at stirling castle · below stirling castle on 10th february 1794 and...

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