The Highlanders Museum in Ardersier reveived special donation from Canada as 78th Highlanders’ uniform joins exhibition
An Ardersier military museum has received a very special visit and donation from across the Atlantic last week.
The Highlanders’ Museum in Fort George has seen its exhibition enriched by the uniform of an officer of the 78th Fraser Highlanders.
The regiment was first raised at Fort George back in 1757 and recruited primarily from men of the Highlands, before setting sail for Canada to serve in the Seven Years’ War, a conflict that had significant influence on the future of Northern America.
After the regiment was disbanded at the end of the war in 1963, many soldiers chose to settle in Canada.
Now, Canadian representatives of the 78th Fraser Highlanders have donated one of the regiment’s uniforms to the Highland-based museum.
Curator Robert Kill said: “The uniform was brought by Captain Hugh Nicholson and Lt Col Jim Osborne, both of them splendidly dressed in uniform themselves.
“During their visit, they spoke about the background of the regiment, the uniform and their current iteration of the 78th Fraser Highlanders, to a crowd of guests of the museum as well as local friends of the 78th.
“The Highlanders Museum is very grateful to them, both for the splendid donation and the great time that was had during their stay."
He added that this was an “inspiring example of the endurance of Scottish heritage the world over.”
Today, the 78th Fraser Highlanders have been revived in the form of a historical association, dedicated to the education and improvement of today’s youth. It aims to preserve the memory of the Fraser Highlanders. The donation of the uniform is part of this, going back to the roots of the regiment.
