Serjeant Donald Macleod was quite the character, with great longevity, incredible fighting skills, and a knack for meeting important people and becoming friendly with them. He served in many regiments of the British Army, fighting in several theatres of war across Europe and North America, and engaging in many duels along the way. The Memoirs were published in his 103rd year, to raise income to help support him in his old age.
The Memoirs cover not only Macleod's engagement in war, but his early life in Skye before he joined the army at the age of 12. The tales of his time in the army, and his several attempts at retirement, are entertaining while showing many of the important British and global issues of the 18th century.
This book contains the original Memoirs and a companion essay by Keith Farrell, examining the historical accuracy of the Memoirs, and debating the question of whether they are a work of fiction or if they were indeed the memories of an old and accomplished Highland soldier.