Lovat Scouts on the March, Tain

This postcard is titled 'Lovat Scouts on the March, Tain'. The Lovat Scouts were formed in 1900 by the 16th Lord Lovat, Simon Fraser, and first saw service in the Second Boer War. The regiment was then disbanded but reformed in 1903 and was active in both World Wars. In 1905, the Lovat Scouts assembled at a two-week training camp on Mhorrich Mhor near Tain.<br /> <br /> Tain was an important centre of medieval pilgrimage to the remains of St. Duthac (or Duthus), who was born in Tain around 1000 AD. Indeed, the town's Gaelic name is 'Baile Dhubhthaich', or 'Duthac's Town'. St. Duthac's remains were originally housed in a 13th century chapel on the links on the outskirts of Tain, but were later transferred to what is now the Collegiate Church of St. Duthac. <br /> <br /> St. Duthac's shrine also acted as a sanctuary. Known as the Girth of Tain, the sanctuary extended to about 12 square miles and was under protection of the church. Robert the Bruce's wife, daughter and sister sought sanctuary there in 1306, but were captured by William, Earl of Ross, and handed over to English forces. <br /> <br /> King James IV of Scotland made at least 18 pilgrimages to the shrine of St. Duthac between 1493 and 1513. His visits undoubtedly raised its profile and by the late middle ages St. Duthac's shrine was one of the most popular places of pilgrimage in Scotland. The practice of pilgrimage to Tain and to other shrines ceased after the Reformation of 1560. <br /> <br /> It is often claimed that Tain was created a royal burgh by Malcolm Canmore in 1066, although the earliest surviving charter was granted by James VI in 1587.