Clan to Regiment : 600 Years in the Hebrides 1400-2000

The Highlander's reputation as an outstanding fighting man has never been doubted but the contribution of individual families to this reputation has not been examined in detail.

Taking the Macleans of Coll as an example, From Clan to Regiment analyses the careers of officers and men, often close cousins, from the time of Clan Warfare and the Jacobite risings to service with the British and Indian Armies.

It was during the Seven Years War, the American Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars that the clan as a fighting force reached its zenith when as many 350 members were in uniform.

Later men from Coll and Mull took part in campaigns in Burma[h], China, Aden, India, Afghanistan and South Africa.

After the sale of the estate fathers and sons started following each other into the same regiment in both the British and Indian armies, a tradition that still exists today.

Using a wealth of untapped historical sources From Clan to Regiment provides a picture of Hebridean society that is relevant to other West Highland Clans and explains how the Hebrides as a result of the potato famine, clearances, and emigration stopped being a major recruiting area for the British Army. Since retiring after 20 years in the Army, Nicholas Maclean-Bristol has lived in the Isle of Coll restoring Breacachadh Castle and raising Highland cattle and Blackface sheep.

In 1967 he founded the Project Trust, the original 'Gap Year' organisation.

His published works including Murder under Trust of which Niall Ferguson, Laurence A.

Tisch Professor of History at Harvard University wrote in the Scotsman: 'if like me, you are besotted by the Hebridean islands and their history, you will simply be fascinated by this book'.PLEASE NOTE THE PRICE SHOWN INCLUDES THE BOOK AT GBP45 & AIRMAIL POSTAGE.