The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany’s) Ross-shire’s own Highland regiment has had a long and colourful history. It was raised by the MacKenzie of Seaforth family in 1788 and was originally numbered the 72nd and the 78th Highlanders which were amalgamated to form the 1st and 2nd Battalions, The Seaforth Highlanders, in 1881.

The main recruiting area for the regiments was in Ross-shire with three-quarters of the men coming from the Ross-shire estates of the Mackenzie families.
Since then the regiment’s recruiting area has been expanded to include Caithness, Sutherland, Moray and Nairn. Throughout their history Lowlanders, Englishmen, Welsh and Irish have also served in the regiment.

Those regiments have served in every part of the globe. Nine battalions of the regiment fought in the great war of 1914-18 with the Northern Battalions very prominent on the battle field i.e.4th Battalion (Ross-shire), 5th Battalion (Caithness and Sutherland), and the 6th Battalion (Morayshire)
In the second world war the 4th Battalion was captured at St. Valarey-en-Caux (France) in 1940 and was never formed again. At that time they were part of 152 (Highland Brigade) 51st (Highland Division). On the 15th May 1954 the Seaforth Highlanders received the Freedom of the Royal Burgh of Dingwall.

( Contributed by Ian MacLeod  – July 2000)