Nothing brings to mind the romance and camaraderie of the army more than the Highland Regiments — arguably the most storied and well respected fighting units in the world. Among these soldiers, one regiment stands out above the others: The Black Watch, the Royal Highland Regiment.

In Canada, the Regular Force battalions of the Black Watch were formed during 1951 in response to the Cold War. Drawing on five reserve units based in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, and Nova Scotia, the Black Watch were first based in Aldershot, Nova Scotia, and then at CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick. The First and Second Battalions were stationed in Germany, fought in the Korean Conflict, and served as a peacekeeping force in Cyprus. Then, in 1970, the Regular Force Batallions were disbanded and the Black Watch reverted to a one-battalion Militia unit.

This illustrated history brings together the colour and pageantry of the Regular Force Battalions of this legendary regiment. Photographs of the soldiers, their commanding officers, bases, uniforms, badges, and medals bring to life the story of the thousands of men who trained for a war that never came.

Simon Falconer is the pen name of a retired soldier, who has written under several pseudonyms. Most recently he authored Canada's Black Watch: An Illustrated History of the Regular Force Battalions, 1951-1970. He has also written dramas for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as well as articles and short stories for publication in Canada and abroad. He currently lives in rural Nova Scotia.

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'A must read for anyone with an interest in the Black Watch, as well as those who want to know more about the Canadian Army during the Cold War."

<i>Chronicle Herald</i>

"A visual bonanza of the former regiment's history and the many brave people who made it what it was."

<i>Daily Gleaner</i>