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Updated 05/20/2013

 


The Garb of Old Gaul

Gaul (Latin: Gallia) was the name given, in ancient times, to the region of Western Europe comprising present-day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. 
 
In English, the word Gaul (French: Gaulois
) may also refer to a Celtic inhabitant of that region, although the expression may be used more generally for all ancient speakers of the Gaulish language (a derivative of early Celtic) who were widespread in Europe and extended even into central Anatolia by Roman times. In this way, "Gaul" and "Celt" are sometimes used interchangeably.

Around 1748, the words of "the Garb of Old Gaul" were composed. Major Reid (one of the most accomplished flute players of his age) set them to music of his own composition. It was originally written in English by Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Erskine, Bart. An excellent translation into Gaelic was done by Captain M'Intyre. This was seen as a recruiting song of the times.

The Garb of Old Gaul is the Regimental March of the Ayrshire Yeomanry.  The Ayrshire (Earl of Carrick's Own) Yeomanry was a Regiment of the British Yeomanry and is now an armored Squadron of the Queen's Own Yeomanry (QOY), part of the British Territorial Army. It is the Lowlands of Scotland's only Royal Armoured Corps Unit and has an unbroken history stretching back to the 1790s.