The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) regiment opened its first museum in 1931, but it has collected objects of significance since its formation in 1689.
The collection charts the regiment's history of almost 300 years of service across the globe. It contains objects from its Covenanting origins in the 1600s, to the disbandment of the 1st Battalion in 1968, and beyond.
The Trust museum service care for and manage the collections. The regiment disbanded in 1968 but the collections continue to grow and show how life was in The Cameronians.
We work in partnership with the regimental trustees of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) to ensure that the collection continues to grow and develop. Behind the scenes, continuing cataloguing and digitisation work helps improve our understanding of the objects in the collection, and their significance to local, Scottish and British history.
The Cameronian collection spans a wide variety of objects from all over the world.
For information on The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) why not visit Low Parks Museum, or visit The Cameronians website.
Here is a very small selection of the types of objects in the Cameronians collection:
Flags and Banners
We hold a number of important banners dating back to the religious struggles of the Covenanters. Among these is the 'Bluidy Banner' which was carried by Covenanting forces at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679. We also recently acquired the very first set of Colours presented to the 90th Light Infantry Volunteers in 1794. The Colours are in the process of being conserved for display in Low Parks Museum. We also have a banner carried by a piper of the 2nd Battalion at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle on March 10th 1915.
Medals and Awards
Over 1,000 medals and awards belonging to officers and men from The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) are on display in Low Parks Museum. Among them are seven Victoria Cross medals, Britain's highest award for bravery.
Swords and Uniform
We have a fine collection of swords dating from the 1600s to the late 1900s. Among them are fine examples from battles of the Covenanting era, as well as presentation swords belonging to General Lord Hill and Field Marshal Lord Wolseley, two of the regiment's most famous officers. We also have a fine collection of regimental uniform and headdress dating from the 1860s onwards.
Photographs
These include official regimental group photographs, personal snapshots, studio portraits, foreign travel and publicity images. Sadly, a large number of the photographs in the collection are unnamed.
Paintings and artwork
These include a number of albums containing sketches and paintings by Henry Hope Crealock, a noted writer and painter who was an officer in the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry (which later became The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)) in the late 1800s. We have a fine set of watercolours showing the 6th Battalion during their training and subsequent actions in Holland during the Second World War.
Diaries and archival material
We are very fortunate to have a number of personal diaries belonging to Field Marshal Wolseley, Britain's most famous Victorian general, and a former officer of the 90th Perthshire Light Infantry (which later became The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)). We have a number of diaries and accounts from officers and men who served with the regiment in various different conflicts and campaigns.