Foreword by The Earl of Airlie KT GCVO

There can be few more famous regiments in the world than The Black Watch.  The name alone is enough to inspire thoughts of soldierly excellence, military glamour and the historic link between Scotland and her fighting men.

Sadly it was announced in 2004 that The Black Watch and the other remaining Scottish infantry regiments were to be merged into a single new Regiment.  It would, therefore, seem timely to secure and enhance the long term future of the Regiment's spiritual home and museum and I am proud to be associated with this important undertaking.  It has been said that a measure of a nation's civilisation is the extent to which it is prepared to invest time and money in the collection and preservation of the artefacts and archives that define its past.  Understanding the past helps us to make sense of the present and to look to the future with greater confidence.

The Black Watch is an iconic and integral part of our nation's story; its record of military service tells the story of very many thousands of men, chiefly from Scotland, who have so valiantly played their part in the defence of the nation's interests around the globe.  Proudly wearing their Red Hackles, they have made their mark on the global stage for nearly three centuries.  Now is the time to ensure that their achievements can be studied, admired and emulated in the future. I commend this appeal to you most warmly and encourage you to support it as generously as you are able.