Kilts, Highlanders at Dunkirk

[OC Richard]

The new movie Dunkirk is creating more interest in this period.

The question arises, how many Highland troops were part of the evacuation?

I don't pretend to be an expert, and real experts should chime in and set me straight.

When one thinks of Highland troops in WWII they might first think of the 51st (Highland) Division.

In The 51st Highland Division At War it's stated that though the bulk of the division was captured at St Valery the 154 (Highland) Brigade "pushed through to Le Havre and taken off from there."

154 Brigade consisted of the 1st Black Watch and 7th and 8th Argylls.

On another thread someone stated that the following non-51st Division Scottish regiments were part of the evacuation:

Highland regiments:

6th Black Watch
6th Seaforths
4th & 6th Gordons
1st Camerons (said to be the last regiment to wear kilts in action)
6th Argylls
1st Highland Light Infantry

Other Scottish regiments:

1st Royal Scots
2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers
1st KOSB
2nd Cameronians

Pipers tended to retain their kilts throughout the war, so there being around 200 pipers represented above (if all those regiments had pipe bands with them) there could well have been plenty of kilts. There are photos showing kilted pipers playing in the days leading up to the evacuation.