Highland Warriors

Highland Warriors is the current temporary exhibit at the Canadian War Museum, running into January 2020 for those of you in the area. It examines the origins of the Highland warrior and the legacy that continues through to the current day in military units. The exhibit uses art, reproductions, weapons, artifacts, and panels to explore the traditions of the Highlands and how they have evolved through time in military circles.

This map of Scotland dates to 1690, and the accompanying panel notes that the detail in the western Highlands was poor, reflecting a lack of knowledge about the region from outsiders.

The Highland double handed sword, also known as the claymore, was used in combat from the early 16th-late 17th centuries. It was also typically a ceremonial symbol of a chieftain. The blade on this one dates to 1530, while the pommel and grip are the result of later restoration work. Elsewhere in the exhibit, under the watch of a museum employee, it was possible to pick up a contemporary claymore.

Highland warriors rose up out of the clan system in Scotland. Panels examine that history.

This is a copy of a portrait that dated to around 1714. Portrait Of Alastair Grant Mor, The Laird Of Grant's Champion was originally painted by Richard Waitt.

Weapons of different origins are found in this display.

Some of the panels included poetry and prose, in three languages- Gaelic, English, and French.

There were times when Highlanders lent their services out abroad. The closing image from today's post reflects that.