DUKE'S PRIVATE ARMY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18281, 23 December 1922, Page 2 (Supplement)

DUKE'S PRIVATE ARMY.

THE ATHOLL HIGHLANDERS.

The Duke of Atholl is the only man in Great Britain who is allowed to raise a private army "on his own." It was in 1845 that Queen Victoria, while staying with the Duke of Atholl, gave him' permission to raise three companies of infantry, who should bo maintained by liis family independent of War Office jurisdiction.

The Atholl Highlanders are a fine body of men, whose average height is slightly over 6ft. They usually number about '300. In their bonnets are the. jumper sprigs of the Murrays, and they wear grey tunics, and, of course, kilts of the Duke's tartan.

The Duke, who is an enthusiastic soldjpr—he was a Brigadier at Gallipoli — sees to it. that the men are thoroughly well trained. Indeed, they have at times indulged in manoeuvres with tho regular troops, and won handsomely.

The army is stationed at Blair Castle, in Perthshire, the Duke's stately home, not many miles from the famous Pass of Killiecrankie.

It will be remembered that Mr. Bottomley raised a question in the House of Commons, some years ago, as to this singular privilege granted to a Scottish nobleman.