78TH. FRASER'S HIGHLANDERS
DESCRIPTION
In 1754 Britain decided to raise more men to fight in North America in an effort to conclude the prolonged struggle with France.
Authority was granted for the raising of two Highland Battalions, the 62nd Regiment of Foot (Montgomery’s Highlanders) and the
63rd Regiment of Foot (Fraser’s Highlanders), for service in the New World. Simon Fraser, Master of Lovat, son of the 11th Lord
Lovat, who was executed for his part in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745-46, was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant.
The 78th assembled at Inverness, and soon recruited to full strength.
The tartan worn by the Regiment has been an object of discussion throughout the years. Many believe that the Government Tartan
would have been the only tartan available in large enough quantities and that it would have been the only officially endorsed
pattern. The decision to use a simple red and green Inverness district type tartan was based on portraits and accounts, and having
found a piece of this tartan in the possession of a descendant of the Regiment.
The second sett given below is a modern version, from Burnetts & Struth, of the 78th Fraser's tartan which was sold as
kilts to the regimental band by the British Shop in Buffalo or TartanTown in Vancouver.
SETT
** If you intend to weave or otherwise use any of these patterns, please be aware that you may need
the written permission of the designer or producer. This information can be found in the Scottish Register of Tartans.
DG/64 R6 DG6 R6 OG48 R72 OG8 R72 OG48 DG52 R6 DG/6 (STA No. 6389)
R/56 G4 R4 G4 DB24 G36 R4 G36 DB24 R30 G4 R/6 (STA No. 6943)