To give you an idea of what it was like to be in the British Army in the nineteenth century, here’s a prayer by Sergeant Corson:

Frae mountin' guard whan the snaw rides deep,

And frae standin' sentry whan ithers sleep,

And frae barrack beds, whar lice and bugs do creep,

Gude Lord deliver us.

Frae a' lang marches on rainy days,

And frae a' stoppages out o' our pays,

And frae the washerwoman' bill, on the d----d claise,

Gude Lord deliver us.

Frae a' bridewell cages and blackholes,

And officers' canes wi' their halbert poles,

And frae the nine-tailed cat that opposes our souls,

Gude Lord deliver us.

May a' officers wha make poor men stand,

Tie up to the halbert, foot, thigh and hand,

Die rotten in the p-x, and afterwards be d----d,

Gude Lord deliver us.

Fortunately, reenacting the army of the nineteenth century is not as harsh as actually being in it. Rather than needing the ability to march twenty miles a day our recruits need a sense of humour, a love of history, and a desire to bring it alive.

If you wish to join the Royal Scots, visit our Calendar of Events page and pick an event at which you can meet the group. If you still want to join the Royal Scots, the unit NCO’s will help you learn the drill and acquire a uniform. If you have any questions, visit our FAQ page or email our Commanding Officer.