Simon Fraser, Master of Lovat, raised the old 78th Highlanders in 1757, during the Seven Years War with France (also known as the French and Indian War.) Simon Fraser, who later rose to General rank, was the son of the unlucky Lord Lovat, who took part in the 1745 Jacobite rising and who the Hanoverian government executed, while confiscating his lands. Around 600 men joined the 78th from what had been the clan lands, and about 800 from the neighbouring territories.
The old 78th were originally raised as the 63rd Foot or the Second Highland Battalion of Foot. They fought at Louisbourg in 1758, Montmorency and Quebec in 1759, wintered through the siege of Quebec in 1759 and 1760, fought at the Battle of Ste Foy in 1760, were present at the capture of Montreal in 1760 and were disbanded in C
