black watch question

[Colin]

I know no one here has said this is the case, but I just want to say now that the "troubles", aka the war, aren't about religion.

I'm not going to turn this into a "troubles" post, but having been to Belfast and talked to locals, I really have to disagree. It's not about religion,but religion has taken over the majority of the controversy. The notion that you are different beacuse you are Catholic or Protestant is crap, and an idealology that has been passed down by too many generations. The war is about those that want to stay part of the UK (Protestant), and those that want to join the Republic of Ireland (Catholic). The politicans,the church, and the media have made it about religion.

In terms of the Black Watch, we must remember that they are a military unit. Orders are carried out, whether you as an idividual like it or not.
There are some people that can say that had the Black Watch been able to carry out their duties in Scotland, rather than being off fighting for the English, the rebelion of the '45 would not have been able to gather the steam that it did. This could have prevented the devastation of Culloden.
They as a unit have also done, and continue too do a lot of good. I will wear their tartan with pride.

[Colin]

You know the old saying "One person's freedom fighter is another person's terrorist" (or is it vice-versa?).

I couldn't agree more.

[Kilt'n'Khuk]

This discussion reminds me of an incident two weeks ago while standing at an ATM in my black Savannah Kilt. I heard a voice in a Scots accent ask me if I was a "government man" because I was wearing a "dark tartan". He then introduced himself as Lachlan McLeod and inquired if I was a Campbell. I said no and he replied "Good, the McLeods are no great friends of the Campbells". H*** C***! I'm standing at an ATM in Quakertown PA and I could have been a casualty in a centuries old clan war! This was at the start of my first full day in a kilt. That day finished up nicely with a guy at Chili's in King of Prussia choking on his food after seeing me in my new Workmans UK as I was leaving.

[Dakotan]

We just have to remember, Anything can happen at any time and any place!
This is the best example I've heard in a great while!
Glad it worked out well Kilt'n'Khuk!

Take Care! - Dakotan

[David in Maryland]

As a MacLeod I must say that the MacLeods and Campbells buried the hatchet, quite literally, a long time ago. We have put the clan feuds aside.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

I'm standing at an ATM in Quakertown PA and I could have been a casualty in a centuries old clan war! This was at the start of my first full day in a kilt. That day finished up nicely with a guy at Chili's in King of Prussia choking on his food after seeing me in my new Workmans UK as I was leaving.

Want to have some REAL FUN??!! Go to Montana West on 309 in Quakertown in a kilt! Been there... done that!!!

(Of course, that's the night that I met my girlfriend)

[richardljohnson]

The Black watch is a beautiful tartan with a long history. Yes, some of it's history is not pleasant. But being part of the Campbell Clan some of my family history is not pleasant either. I am not my family history, although some parts I am proud of while other I am not. That was then and I am now. I like to think that I am part of the best of my history. I wear the Campbell tartan with pride but I also choose NOT to forget the transgression of my family in the past and vowing not to see it repeated.

Just my 2 cents worth....

Also, my wife has MacDonald in her family. With my Campbell and her MacDonald thing get interesting...but the peace talks make it worth it!!!!

[bubba]

History itself is full of the good and bad. That's the result of human nature and military history is likely to be more filled with the bad. As a military unit, of course the Black Watch has done some shameful things, every military unit that has a combat record has. Still, that doesn't take away from the pride in the units accomplishments. The record of courage of the Black Watch takes a back seat to none.