The Lovat Scouts
Raised in 1899 by Simon, Lord Lovat, mainly from Highland ghillies & stalkers. The plan was to use hillcraft to counter the same strengths of South African Boers. South Loch Ness was a major recruiting area for the unit in that conflict & 2 World Wars.
Officers of the first contingent at Beaufort castle. Seated, from left: Col. A. Murray (C.O.), Lord Lovat, Capt. A.W. Macdonald (adjutant). Standing, from left: Edward Fraser-Tytler of Aldourie, Hugh Fraser, Kenneth MacDonald of Skeabost, Skye, Ewen Grant of Glenmoriston, Captain V. Stewart of Ensay, Rowland Hunt, Sir A. Campbell-Orde of North Uist, Ian Brodie of Brodie, Edward Ellice of Invergarry. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
The Aldourie contingent photographed at Clune House (then known as Dores Lodge). Left to right: Lieut. Fraser-Tytler, Pts. P.Grant, D.Macrae & W.Boyd, Sgts. Fraser & Harvey. Lieut. W.T.Fraser-Tytler not present. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Part of the first contingent of the Scouts at Fort Augustus. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Sailing from Southampton, March 1900. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Lieut. EG Fraser-Tytler of Aldourie. The Lee-Enfield .303 is still at Aldourie. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Lieut. MacDonald and a Scout with a typical draw telescope which were donated by landowners and other Highland benefactors and were notably superior to army-issue binoculars. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Lieut. Edward Ellice, in casual dress! Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Lord Lovat, also informally dressed! Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Lovat Scouts field camp cooking. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Cleaning horse equipment. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Mule wagon – typical transport for bulky equipment Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Big team of mules at a river crossing. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Sometimes the mules just were not strong enough! The kilted soldiers are probably members of the Highland Brigade. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Troops of Scouts marching from Aliwal, on the Orange River. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Jagersfontein Diamond Mines. The oldest diamond mine of the continent, and 2 of the 10 biggest diamonds ever found were dug here. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Telegram from EG Fraser-Tylter’s wife Edith (“Mudgie”) telling her daughter of the end of the Boer war. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
On board on the way home. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Lovat Scout pipers on homeward journey. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Arch constructed to give returning Scouts “Your welcome home”. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Community reception at Clune House for the return of the Aldourie contingent Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
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Sir I am looking for information of my Father Richard Zachariah Macgillivray who served i was told in the Lovat Scouts in WW2 his Army number is
14211660
Please can you revert if you have any information or can guide me in that direction
Best Regards
William Macgillivray
Hi William , we have no information on any individual soldiers , suggest you try Anchestry or Find My Past or Forces War Record or if he died in service the War Graves Commission web sites
William
Where was your father from, from the Hebrides, the Islands or did he join as part of one of the English regiments. I have the picture of the Lovat Scouts in Balmoral in 1943 with the present Queen Elizabeth as a young girl.
Hi
I’m trying to locate information concerning cpl 1079 J R Fraser
He was awarded the TFEM medal in 1913 and was from kinlochbervie
I think he then joined the Cameron’s in 1916 under number S30911
Any information would be much appreciated (Dealing with)
George
Hi , my grand uncle was a Lovat Scout, he was unfortunately shot by a Boer sniper in 1900, he’s burried in Phillipolis S Africa , death date was 23rd Nov 1900. I’ve got a poem written by his Sergeant, and a painting of his grave by Captain Ellice Lovat Scouts. Any information on my grand uncle Kenneth Lockhart would be appreciated. He was a Skye man born and raised, but I understand he was working on a farm in Clarkson Lothians before joining up…. Thanks Alex (Dealt with)
I am pleased to see these photographs. My grandmothers brothers name was Alistair MacDonald I believe he was either a Sergeant or Captain of the Lovats and fought at El Alamein. He also taught commandos and others on the Faroe Isles. He married a Faroese woman called Mia and settled in Torshaven
I would be grateful for any information or photographs of him if there is such a thing. Regatds
Hello, my name is David Alexander and I’m a retired Chief Master Sergeant from the USAF. I have a modest WW2 collection and my next display will be Private William Millin. I need which Regimental Crest he wore on his green beret and certain make of the beret. And also the insignia/patches and placement on the British Army Tunic (Pattern 40)
Thank you for your time and cooperation, David Alexander
Dear Sirs
Do you have any information in respect of Boer trackers used by Lovat scouts ?
My grandfather Calum Macdonald was in the Beauly 1st Lovat Scouts in the 1st WW, he was one of the fortunate ones to return, he ended up in Gallipoli, Egypt, Salonica and then the Western Front.