Simpson's book basically agrees with Lighter's account. The regiments had been raised to specifically "keep the peace of the braes" so basically only to be deployed within Scotland itself. It was marched to London to be inspected by the king but was actually inspected by General Wade. They were in fact to be deployed to Flanders to fight on the continent but a rumour swept round the regiment that they were to be shipped to the fever ridden West Indies so there was a mutiny.

They were shipped to the continent but much of the time were in training rather than combat as the commanders tried to get them used to the Lowland Scottish and English methods - however they kept reverting to the Highland Charge type of method. When they were eventually used they were incredibly succesful and their ferocity was feared by the enemy.

During the 45 rebellion, although other Black Watch companies were raised and active in Scotland against the Jacobites, the bulk of the regiment were brought back from the continent and stationed at Blackheath to help guard against a possible French invasion.