Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum, Stirling Castle, Scotland
Printed by James Fleming & Co., of Callander, Scotland, this unused postcard features a photograph from the interior of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum housed in Stirling Castle, Scotland. The card has a divided back with the title located on the reverse at the lower left corner. No other credits are found on the card.
Counties in the United Kingdom that have organized regimental armies have museums dedicated to the history of specific army regiments. Yeomanry, Militia, and Volunteer regiments also have museums or exhibition spaces. Many are open to the public, some are open by appointment only.
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, also known as Princess Louise’s, was created under the Childers Reforms in 1881 and is a light infantry company. In 2006, as part of the restructuring of the British Army’s infantry, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were assimilated with the Royal Scots, The King’s Own Scottish Borderers, the Roy Highland Fusiliers, the Black Watch, and the Highlanders to form the seven-battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland. Defense cuts in 2012 reduced it to a single light infantry company called Balaklava Company, Royal Regiment of Scotland.
It was fun to find this old picture of Bopa aka FarFar’s father, “Mac” who served a mission in the Highlands of Scotland when he was about 20 years of age. While he was there, he visited the town of Thurso where his parents had lived before emigrating. No bag pipes, here he and a companion are dressed in the traditional kilt, bonnet, and sporran, while the third member is wearing a more traditional looking dress suit. The picture taken around 1913 or 1914.
"Mac" McKay in the center with two companions, ca 1913-1914
The black & white photo does not let us see if the kilts are in the MacKay plaid. Standing in the middle, Grandpa McKay was almost 6 feet 4 inches tall, which would make it easy to pick him out even if we did not have other pictures of him to be sure. Note the Argyll knee socks.
MacKay plaid
The Regimental Museum for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is housed in Stirling Castle. That castle was built in the 1490s and was known as the “King’s House,” or the “King’s Old Buildilng,” because it was thought to have been the private residence of King James IV. The castle sits atop a crag giving it a strong defensive position. The castle is considered one of the largest and most historically and architecturally important castles in Scotland. This castle has withstood at least eight sieges including one in 1746 when Bonnie Prince Charlie tried unsuccessfully to take it. Today the castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a tourist attraction managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
The grounds are used as an open-air concert venue. Like some other castles, Stirling Castle has ghost lore. A maid servant to Queen Mary, called the Green Lady, has been sighted by residents of visitors. She is thought be a warning or omen of impending danger. There is a fee to tour the castle and the museum. The entry ticket fee to tour the castle incudes entrance to the museum. Public donations is the main source of support and maintenance. The governing body is the charitable trust: The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Trust.
For additional information, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regimental_museum
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argyll_and_Sutherland_Highlanders
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_Castle