I've never thought of the Blackwatch as Mounties, Todd. Interesting thoughts next time I visit the Gold Rush Museum in Pioneer Square.
The early history of both organizations are similar; the old Northwest Mounted Police was originally a para-military police force based on the Royal Irish Constabulary, and the red coat was chosen specifically to remind the First Nations of Western Canada of the red coats of British soldiers. The NWMP fought in several campaigns against the Metis under Louis Riel, and then later volunteered with Canadian Mounted contingents in the Boer War & WWI (Lord Strathcona's Horse, the Alberta Dragoons, etc.) A contingent of the NWMP/RCMP served in Russia during the Allied intervention in 1919, and then as military policemen in the UK during WWII. Today they do peackeeping duties with the UN.

I'm getting ready to do a talk about Scots in the North American West for the Ft. Smith, Arkansas Scottish Club, and this thread has inspired me to bring up the "Mountie-Black Watch" similarities! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd