78th Stags Head Wooden Magnet

These unique magnets are locally made in Nova Scotia using local NS hardwoods. 

This magnet showcases the Stags Head crest of the 78th Highlanders represented at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

REGIMENTAL TRADITIONS AND SYMBOLS
The 78th wore red doublets, kilts, sporrans, feather bonnets and red and white checkered hose stockings. Since the regiment was raised by the Head of the Clan MacKenzie and most of the men of the regiment came from the Clan MacKenzie lands in Ross-shire, its tartan was the MacKenzie tartan. The regiment's facings on collar and cuffs were buff, which gave rise to 78th also being known as the Ross-shire Buffs. In keeping with the contemporary custom, the regimental pipers wore contrasting green uniforms.

Origin of symbols and traditions

In honour of its founder, many of the regimental symbols and traditions of 78th are shared with those of the MacKenzie clan. The regimental motto of the Ross-shire Buffs is "Cuidich 'n Righ," Gaelic for "Help the king."

Clan legend states in 1266, King Alexander III of Scotland was charged by a stag while hunting. Colin of Kintail, then the MacKenzie Chief, charged to the king's aid yelling "Cuidich 'n Righ" and with sword in hand, he cleaved off the stag's head.

As a token of the king's gratitude, he granted the MacKenzie's the motto "Cuidich 'n Righ" and the stag's head (or Cabar Feidh) as its clan crest. The 78th adopted the clan crest as it own regimental badge and the 18th century pipe tune Cabar Feidh as their regimental charge.