In 1739 Lachlan of Cluny (1668-1746), Clan Chief, collaborated with Lord Lovat in recruiting men from the Independent Companies of the Highland militia into the regimented Black Watch which was to consist of 1000 men. The new regiment was embodied in May 1740, when six Independent companies (afterwards increased to ten) assembled on a field near the Tay Bridge at Aberfeldy. Starting out as the 43rd Regiment of the Line, it became the 42nd Highland Regiment in 1749 on the reduction of the original 42nd regiment. When the men joined it was understood that their sphere of service would not extend beyond their native Scotland. The regiment remained in quarters near the Tay Bridge for eighteen months and during the winter of 1741-2 they marched northward to Inverness. In the spring of 1743 they were ordered to repair to Perth.

      Having assembled in Perth in March 1743, they were surprised on being informed that orders had been received to march the regiment for England, a step that they considered contrary to their terms of service. They were told that the object of the march to England was to take part in a parade, which was to be held on the King's birthday, the 14th May 1743. This was merely to gratify the curiosity of the King who had never seen a Highland regiment. They were deliberately deceived with the real destination abroad being kept from them. Satisfied with the explanation, the regiment marched south to London via Musselburgh and Berwick. On route, a rumour arose that they were to be employed in foreign service and were to be embarked for 'service in the West Indies' ‚ one of the most perilous and the most degrading places to which British soldiers could be exposed.

      Having reached the vicinity of London on the 29th and 30th April, in two divisions, the regiment was reviewed on the 14th May, on Finchley Common, by Field Marshal Wade and others of distinction but not the King. The regiment accounted well for itself during the review and a favourable report was given. From that moment, however, all their thoughts were bent on the means of returning to their own country. Under pretence of preparing for the review, they had enabled to provide themselves with essentials for the long march home.

      The mutiny, which followed, created a great sensation, and the circumstances, which led to it, formed, both in public and in private, the main topic of discussion. On the night of the 17th May, 105 men deserted in a body. Most of them were men belonging to central Highland clans ‚ Camerons, Frasers, Grants, McDonalds, McGregors, McIntoshes, McIntyres, and McPherson ‚ the last the most numerous at 17. On their march north they kept as near as possible between the two great roads, zig-zagging their way and passing from wood to wood in such a manner that it was not well known which way they moved. Orders were issued for their arrest by the lords-justices to the commanding officers of the forces stationed in the counties between them and Scotland. On the 19th May intelligence was received that the mutineers had reached as far as Northampton, and were shaping their course north towards Nottingham. Instead they headed north east towards Wellingborough.

      General Blakeney, who commanded Northampton, despatched Captain John Ball, of General Wade's regiment of horse. The mutineers entered Lady Wood between Brigstock and Deenethorpe, about four miles from Oundle, when they were discovered. The mutineers refused to surrender and they entered into negotiations with General Blakeney and others. Being assured of a full pardon, the Highlanders took the word of "an officer and a gentleman" and, that night they gradually all surrendered. In breach of the promise of the guarantees that had been given, the men were delivered to court martial at the Tower of London.

      On the road, and even after they entered London, they kept up their spirits, and marched very cheerfully. The deserters were tried before a general court-martial between the 8th and 15th June. They were all found guilty, and condemned to be shot. Only the three identified "ringleaders" of the mutiny, suffered capital punishment. These were Corporal Samuel (Sorlie) McPherson, Corporal Malcolm McPherson and Private Farquhar Shaw from Rothiemurchas. They were shot within the Tower, in the presence of the other prisoners, who joined in their prayers. The unfortunate men met their death with composure, and acted with great propriety. Their bodies were put into three coffins by three of the prisoners and buried together in one grave at the place of execution. Twenty-six reprieved deserters were divided between the garrisons of Gibraltar and Minorca. The remaining seventy-six were equally distributed among the different corps in the Leeward Islands (Antigua) and Georgia. The rest of the regiment had been ordered to Kent and from there transported to Flanders. These circumstances impressed the Highlanders further that the government had intended to deceive them.

      The two executed corporals were from respected families in the Parish of Laggan. Samuel was the son of Donald McPherson of Cruben and Mary McPherson of the Nuide family and through her, a full cousin of Ewan McPherson of Cluny (1706-1764). He was the half brother of General Kenneth McPherson (1726-1814) of the East India Company's Service. Malcolm was a son of Angus McPherson of Druminard, a cadet of the Macphersons of Strathmashie. Feelings ran high in Scotland, and Badenoch was particularly affected. The incident no doubt played a part in the decision to join the Rising in September 1745 when members of Samuel and Malcolm's families stood shoulder to shoulder in their support of Cluny to join the Rising. It is noted that Lord John Murray, son of the Duke of Athole, who succeeded as colonel of the regiment in 1745, had the portraits of the three mutineers hung up in his dining room.