Stuart Reid

For nearly 60 years, the clans of Highland Scotland proved to be an almost constant thorn in the side of a series of British monarchs. Fiercely independent, the clans comprised an agricultural peasantry dominated by a warrior aristocracy. They held most forms of authority in contempt and did not submit to London meekly. Their first loyalty was to the exiled...

Ultimately, regiments are judged by their behaviour in battle; and highlanders have always had a reputation as 'stormers', as exemplified by the impetuous charge of the Gordons at Waterloo, intermingled with the Scots Greys. This reputation probably resulted at least in part from an unusually close bonding between officers and men, and an assumption that highlanders were natural soldiers, possessed...

Armies of the Irish Rebellion 1798 by Stuart Reid explores the dramatic events of 1798 when the Irish rose up against the corrupt English government in Dublin. In a united effort, both Protestants and Catholics joined forces, causing the rebellion to quickly spread across the country. Armed mostly with pikes, the Irish peasantry were able to overwhelm several small, isolated...

During this period, the British army earned itself a formidable reputation as a fighting force. However, due to its role as a police force at home, and demonisation by American propaganda, the army was viewed as little removed from a penal institution run by aristocratic dilettantes. This view, still held by many today, is challenged by Stuart Reid, who paints...

In the summer of 1642, the First Civil War between king and parliament had broken out in England. Initially, both sides were confident of victory, but after the first campaigns ended in stalemate, they began looking for allies. The meddling of the Stuart Kings with Scotland's religious traditions provoked the National Covenant, and later the Solemn League and Covenant. Yet...