The Black Watch Castle and Museum, Perth, Scotland

The beautiful Balhousie Castle is the home of the Black Watch Museum which houses an incredible collection of uniforms, medals, art, stories and artifacts of the Black Watch Regiments which began in 1725. Six companies were formed, 3 large, and 3 small from the Campbell, Grant, Fraser, and Munro Clans to deter fighting in the various glens and Highlanders raiding Lowlanders. The first muster was in 1740 along the River Tay in a glen. The Campbell Clan had more officers than any other. You can learn more about their history at theblackwatch.co.uk. Upon entering the grounds of the museum is a notable monument for those lives lost in teh Great War and WWII, and most moving are the thousands of little white crosses with red poppies woven into the fence spilling over onto the lawn. In my sketchbook are a few of those heroes who gave their life for their country. The 3 Black Watch Soldiers are painted from a stained glass window in the museum, in a room of remembrance, where the names of all those who gave their lives in the Black Watch Regiment are named. A sobering reminder of the price for freedom and self-determination. I felt so grateful and humbled.