A never-ending source of wonder and delight to the French country folk
are the kilted Highland regiments with the British expeditionary force.
The Highlander in full gala rig, scarlet tunic, tartan phillibeg, with
the gay “sporan” or pouch, white gaiters and big bearskin headdress, is
a thing of beauty and joy forever at home, and even now when clad in
khaki he is a remarkable sight for foreigners.
The French could hardly believe their eyes when they saw the husky
regiments wearing what appeared to be short petticoats. True, the
garment of khaki was like the jacket, but it was undoubtedly a
petticoat. The inhabitants of the country through which they are passing
generally put them down as some wild troop of Amazons which the English
keep for serious fighting. When told that the kilted warriors are really
men, and Scotchmen, they remember the famous Scotch guards of the old
French kings and shout “Vivent les écossais!”
The bagpipes are another attraction and when the Gordons are stepping
out to “The Cock of the North,” or the Argyle and Sutherlands are
announcing their presence with “The Campbells Are Comin’,” whole
villages follow them for miles. There are four Highland regiments with
the British army, the two above mentioned, and the Black Watch and
Camerons.