The Regiment was formed on 14 May 1689 at the holm, on the banks of the Douglas Water in South Lanarkshire. Its first Commanding Officer was William Cleland whilst its Colonel was the 19 year old Earl of Angus, son of the Marquis of Douglas. The Earl’s statue overlooks the spot in Douglas to this day.
Within weeks of their formation The Cameronians saw action as regular soldiers at The Battle of Dunkeld in 1689.
For many years it was Scotland’s only Rifle Regiment and its dark green tunic marked it out as an elite formation.
During the First World War, The Cameronians raised 27 battalions
During the Second World War its battalions served in Europe and Burma.
In the immediate post-WW2 period the Army was significantly reduced; nearly all infantry regiments had their first and second battalions amalgamated and the Supplementary Reserve disbanded. In the case of the Cameronians, the 2nd Battalion was amalgamated with the 1st Battalion on the 19 September 1949.
After the 1966 Defence White Paper the Cameronians decided to disband rather than be amalgamated.
In May 1968, the 1st Battalion of the Regiment was disbanded at a moving ceremony held at the same spot in Douglas at which it had been raised in 1689.
Following disbandment the legacy business matters of the Battalion were conducted by a group of Trustees.
The Regimental Trust was wound up in 2015.
The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Gallery in Low Parks Museum, Hamilton reflects over 300 years of the regiment’s story, from its Covenanting roots until disbandment in 1968 and beyond.https://www.slleisureandculture.co.uk/info/203/low_parks_museum