Urban Operations
Demanding training
Remembrance Day
Unarmed combat
Night shooting
Serving overseas
Previous slide
Next slide

THE 48TH HAS AN ILLUSTRIOUS PAST A SUCCESSFUL PRESENT A BRIGHT FUTURE

THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR

Defender of clans, fearsome soldier and proud warrior — the Highland soldier is an iconic military figure whose role and reputation have evolved over the centuries, both within Scotland and beyond.

Throughout history – from Scottish Clans of the past to Canadian Regiments of the present – Highland soldiers were feared by many due to their courage, resiliency, and skill. During the wars, soldiers that Highland units were comprised of, had a larger stature compared to the average commonwealth soldier, which played into the intimidation that would strike the enemy when coming face to face with a Highlander.

Canada’s enemies made frequent references to kilted Highlanders as ‘devils in skirts’ and ‘ladies from hell’.

OUR PRESENT

The active unit ensures that its roots as one of Canada’s premier Highland units are upheld proudly. By adopting a culture of physical/mental fitness and operational effectiveness we are able to continue the honour of being Highlanders.

The infantry’s job is “to close with and destroy the enemy, by day or by night, regardless of weather, season or terrain.” While this is no easy task, the Regiment is well equipped, and its soldiers train to the very highest standard, are mentally and physically robust, and are fiercely proud of their Regiment.

As infantry soldiers, Highlanders must think on their feet, react and interact, use their initiative, and play multiple roles – sometimes a police officer, most other times a soldier in the classic sense. Highlanders are also rebuilders and healers, deploying in the wake of hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes to bring medicine, food, and hope to those affected.

All training places a strong emphasis on live-fire tactical exercises at the section, platoon and company level, providing Highlanders with outstanding, realistic, and exciting training in field operations.

The Regiment fought with distinction in Canada’s major 20th-century wars. Since the 1990s, many Highlanders have served overseas on Canadian military operations, including Cyprus, Bosnia and other parts of the former Republic of Yugoslavia, Sudan, and Afghanistan. Some 48th may well be deployed overseas today.

Related pages

Your Future

“What has made the Regiment? What has seen it grow and succeed throughout the years? Two attributes are the foundation, volunteers and family…and the catalyst is leadership.

All members are volunteers. They were volunteers when the regiment was formed in 1891. They were volunteers through two world wars. They were volunteers in peacetime, volunteers abroad and volunteers at home. They volunteered to face virtual annihilation at Ypres in 1915 when less than one of five responded to the morning roll call the next day. They volunteered when government funding could not, sometimes would not, support uniforms or training at home. They volunteered despite public derision when peace at any price was a mantra or when “flower power” sought to trivialize the loyalty and honour of service.”

George W Beal, “Family of Volunteers”

As a member of this famous family, your leadership skills will be constantly developed and you will share the bonds of family that make a great fighting unit.

 

YOUR PICTURE HERE?

Contact webmaster

Use this form only for one of the available subject selections. Requests for information about former Highlanders or about the museum will not be answered. Click here for such requests.

Fields marked with an * are required.