Royal Highland Regiment of Canada (Black Watch) & Royal Canadian Regiment Connection

By Dave Johnston

The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada originated on January 31st 1862 in Montreal, Canada East, as the 5th Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles. After several re-designations over the years, on July 1st 1935 they were finally designated as the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada.

The Black Watch regularly connects with The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) which was established on December 21st 1884 as Canada’s first Regular Army unit to replace the British Soldiers that were currently defending Canada. The regiment is considered the first in Regular Force order of battle.

In 1977, during another of several down-sizings of the then Canadian Army, the Black Watch was reduced to nil strength and removed from the active regiments in the army's Regular Force order of battle and its soldiers were reconstituted as the 2nd battalion of the RCR and established in Canadian Forces Base Gagetown N.B.

But this new 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment chose to adopt the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch, becoming the Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.

Since 1993, the Ottawa Branch of the two Regimental Associations come together to celebrate the St. Andrew’s Day, and pay homage to their connection through reconstitution as well as the solidarity of soldiering. The gathering includes the piping in of a Haggis, and the Address to the Haggis. This tradition recognizes the continuing bonds between these two great Regiments in Canada, and their strong ties to Scotland.

Members of the Black Watch and RCR Associations at their St. Andrew’s Day event