On this day, March 18th 1689 the Regiment The King’s Own Scottish Borderers was created  as a crisis measure for the defence of Edinburgh against the Jacobites. The Regiment was recruited “by beat of drum” along the Royal Mile (the High Street in the Old Town) of the City of Edinburgh in the record time of two hours with men flocking to join the Earl of Leven to safeguard their city. In 2006 under changes delivered by the Future Infantry Structure the Regiment became part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Signaller Grahame 7th Airborne KOSB (by Christie Grahame)

Blue Bonnets Over the Border

March, march, Ettrick and Teviotdale,
Why the deil dinna ye march forward in order?
March, march, Eskdale and Liddesdale,
All the Blue Bonnets are bound for the Border.
Many a banner spread
Flutters above your.head,
Many a crest that is famous in story.
Mount and make ready then,
Sons of the mountain glen,
Fight for the Queen and the old Scottish glory.

Come from the hills where your hirsels are grazing,
Come from the glen of the buck and the roe;
Come to the crag where the beacon is blazing,
Come with the buckler, the lance, and the bow.
Trumpets are sounding,
War-steeds are bounding,
Stand to your arms then, and march in good order;
England shall many a day
Tell of the bloody fray,
When the Blue Bonnets came over the Border.

Sir Walter Scott

Blue Bonnets sung by the Corries