Located a half-mile (1 km) to the northeast of the centre of Hamilton in South Lanarkshire, the Regimental Museum of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) occupies the former Riding School of the Dukes of Hamilton, built by architect William Burn (1789 - 1870) in 1842. The Dukes of Hamilton having abandoned their estate, and indeed demolished their principal home, Hamilton Palace, in the early 1920s, the Riding School was converted to the Cameronian Regimental Museum in 1983. Today, this museum lies adjacent to, and is accessed through, the Low Parks Museum, run by South Lanarkshire Council.
The museum includes uniforms, honours and campaign relics associated with the regiment, together with medals and a display on those awarded the Victoria Cross.
The Cameronian Regiment of Foot was raised in Douglas (South Lanarkshire) in 1689 by the Marquis of Douglas. It was recruited from Covenanters and took its name from the most famous of their number, Richard Cameron, 'The Lion of the Covenant'. Only months after their formation, the regiment at Dunkeld successfully repulsed the Jacobites who had just won a victory at Killiecrankie. From 1786, they became known as the 26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot and, from 1881, the 1st Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
Following reductions in the size of the British Army, the regiment was suspended (although not disbanded) in 1968, awaiting a renewed call to arms.
