If you know anything about Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books, you know about the Frasers, and the Murrays. Well, I wish I could report that I had dinner with Jamie and Claire recently, but these Frasers are very much rooted in this century.

Leon was asked to speak at a dinner commemorating the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, hosted by the 78th Fraser Highlanders, a Historical Regiment. Like Jamie Fraser, their lineage is traced back to the Old Fox – Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat (the fictional grandfather of Jamie Fraser).  Although the Scottish suffered tremendous losses at the Battle of Culloden, leaving them stripped of their culture when all things Scottish such as wearing of the kilt were banned, Lord Lovat managed to stay in the good graces of the British Crown and formed the 78th Fraser Highlanders.

78th Highland Regiment was raised under Royal Warrant in January, 1757 by Simon Fraser, Master of Lovat, specifically for service in the North American arena of The Seven Years War, known to many as the French and Indian War. The Regiment known as Fraser’s Highlanders, distinguished itself in several key actions, among them the Seige of Louisbourg, both Battles of the Plains of Abraham, at the taking of Montreal and the recovery of Newfoundland.

In December 1763, the 78th was disbanded as hostilities ceased. http://www.fortfrasergarrison.com/display.htm

In modern day, the 78th is alive and well! This Fort Fraser Garrison group meet a few times a year to commemorate battles they took part in as well as notable dates on the calendar such as Robbie Burns Day.  They are also a registered charity which raises funds for important causes such as providing Christmas presents for children of prisoners or sending 20 children to camp.

Continue reading this story at Fraser Valley Lifestyle Magazine.

Robin and me