Named After Hugh Fraser of Kynneries
Years of Operation 1643-1647

Col. Fraser's in the Seventeenth Century
Fraser's Dragoones were a coalescence of levies local to the Beauly area west of Inverness and a substantial number of experienced and veteran troops from the continental wars. As such the regiment quickly earned a reputation as one of the most formidable units in Alexander Leslie, Lord Leven's Army of the Covenant which consisted of 21 regiments numbering between 18,000-21,000 men (of which Fraser's was the only dragoone regiment).
In late 1643 the Scots Covenanters mustered their army and marched for the border in support of the English Parliament. In January 1644 the Army of the Covenant crossed the border amidst great snow storms and marched to besiege the city of Newcastle.
Col Fraser's Dragoones fought with noted distinction in all the major actions of the Army of the Covenant including Corbridge, the siege of York and at the battle of Marston Moor where Alexander Leslie, Lord Leven, commanded the great host of Parliament in the famous battle which, arguably, decided the fate of the war.
In 1645, having returned to Scotland with 6000 other men under command of Major General David Leslie, Fraser's Dragoones took part in the battle of Philiphaugh which saw the destruction of the rregular highland and Irish army led by the Marquis of Montrose and the end of his Royalist rebellion in Scotland.
The King's cause was now lost in both Scotland and northern England. The Army of the Covenant, this time including only a commanded party of some 32 of Fraser's Dragoones under the command of a Coronet Colqhoun, marched deeper into England as far south as Newark, which siege proved to be the King's last stand. In 1647 the King submitted himself to the keeping of the Scots Army, believing that they would be more sympathetic to his cause than Cromwell and his English cohorts. However the Parliamentary alliance between the Scots and the English was already beginning to break up and, in return for payment of back wages by the English, the Scots handed King Charles over to the Army of Parliament and slowly returned north of the border. Fraser's Dragoones remained quartered in England until February 1647 when they returned to Scotland and were disbanded at Kelso on the 11th of February.
Col. Hugh Fraser went on to take command of a troop of horse in the New Model Army and was also involved in a Royalist insurrection in Inverness in 1649 which protested the execution of Charles I. In September 1649, having retired in some splendour to his home in Kinmylies, he resolved to take "physick". Within less than an hour he fell into distemper, rage and raving in high Dutch and Slavonic and required eight men to hold him to his bed. He died three days later and was interred at Kirkhill with a military funeral.

Col. Fraser's in the Twenty First Century

Fraser's Dragoones today are the most northerly regiment of the Sealed Knot society and were formed in the 1970's by a group of friends at Aberdeen University. Today the majority of our membership still lives in the North East of Scotland but we have active members from all walks of life living all over Britain.
As well as travelling throughout the UK to take part in the Sealed Knot's "major muster" battle re­enactments Fraser's Dragoones also organise other events at historic properties throughout Scotland, visit schools and museums to give educational presentations and have an active social scene.
On the Sealed Knot battlefield we portray a veteran musket unit as part of the Scots Brigade and as such can be deployed, depending on circumstances, as either Parliament or Royalist.

We are proud of our authenticity and attention to historical detail and our aim is to recreate 17th Century military camp life and display the use of musket, pike and artillery in an educational way which is exciting for visitors and participants alike. Our extensive "Living History" camp is a full immersion experience and as well as soldiers we portray the armourers, barber surgeons, cooks, beggars, washer women and other camp followers who would have lived under the colours of the regiment. There is a place in Col Fraser's for everyone.

With the opportunity to participate with friends and comrades in events at such prestigious castles as Edinburgh, Stirling, Urquhart, Edzell, Drum, Blackness, Dumbarton and Duart as well as other locations throughout Scotland, what better way to spend a weekend!