Black Watch Memorial

Gemma Hardy p. 358

In a public park overlooking Wade's Bridge and the River Tay in Aberfeldy, Perthshire stands a striking memorial to the soldiers of the Black Watch Regiment (the Royal Highlanders). The monument is in the form of a massively tall cairn topped by a statue of a soldier wearing the original Black Watch Regimental uniform. Though the statue represents all members of the regiment, it is, in fact, a depiction of Private Farquhar Shaw. Private Shaw was one of three men executed for desertion in 1743. The Black Watch was ordered to march south from Scotland to London. That was odd, for the regiment normally served in Scotland. When they reached London a rumor spread that they were to be transported to the American colonies, which was a method used by Parliament to disperse troublesome Highland clans.

A large number of soldiers were so alarmed that they left London, intending to march back north to Scotland. They were stopped after 2 days. The soldiers who had remained in London set sail to fight in Flanders, not to America. Even though the 'deserters' had made their decision based on false rumors, the government could not ignore their actions. All were tried by court martial and sentenced to death. In the end, only three men were shot, among them Private Farquhar Shaw.

https://www.britainexpress.com/scotland/Tayside/properties/black-watch-m...

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