Sons of the Mountains: The Highland Regiments in the French & Indian War 1756-1767

by Ian Macpherson McCulloch

Three proud Highland regiments fought in North America during the Seven Year’s War - the 77th Foot (Montgomery’s Highlanders), the 78th Foot (Fraser’s Highlanders), and the famous Black Watch, more correctly known at the time as the Royal Highland Regiment. Undoubtedly, the exploits of the 42nd, 77th and 78th Highlanders in some of the most bloody and desperate battles on the North American continent were a critical factor in transforming the overall image of Highlanders from Jacobite rebels to Imperial heroes in the latter half of the 18th century. Sons of the Mountains is a two-volume set which chronicles the Highland regiments’ fighting performance and experiences from the time they were raised in the Highlands and stepped ashore in North America, to their disbandment in 1763; or, as in the case of the 42nd, reduced in establishment and left on lonely garrison duty in the American wilderness until their recall and return to Ireland in 1767.

Volume One of Sons of the Mountains follows all three regiments on their various campaigns in the different theatres of war. As they range from the wilderness of the Ohio Forks to the wind-swept crags of Signal Hill in Newfoundland, and from the waters of the Great Lakes to the torrid swamps and cane fields of the “Sugar Islands,” the reader will be exposed to all the major conflicts and actions of the “Great War for Empire” as seen though the eyes of the Highland soldier.

Volume Two of Sons of the Mountains will appeal to all families of Scottish descent and serious genealogists. It features comprehensive biographical histories of all regimental officers from all the major clans (over 350 entries) who served in the regiments. Also included in the glossaries are regimental muster rolls and land petitions of discharged Highlanders. You’ll also find detailed essays on 18th century Highland uniforms, Highland weapons, specialist officers, pipers and more.

Lavishly illustrated with artwork by Robert Griffing, Steve Noon, Peter Rindisbacher, Gary Zaboly, Charles Stolz and John Buxton, as well as with contemporary prints, maps and portraits from the collections of the Black Watch Museums of Scotland and Canada, the Fort Ticonderoga Museum, the Fort Ligonier Museum, the William L. Clements Library, the National Army Museum, Chelsea, the David M. Stewart Museum, Montreal, the National Archives of Canada and the Library of Congress, Sons of the Mountains is a visual delight. Without a doubt, Sons of the Mountains is the most complete and informative work on the history of early Highland regiments of the British army in North America to date.

VOLUME ONE: 392 pages, illust, 8.5 x 11, paper, $29.00

VOLUME TWO: 208 pages, illust, 8.5 x 11, paper, $19.00