The regiment was raised at Inverness, Stirling, and Glasgow by Lieutenant-General Simon Fraser of Lovat as the 71st Regiment of Foot in 1775. The regiment embarked for North America in April 1776. During the journey some of the troops of the Cameron clan mutinied when they heard they would not be commanded by Captain Cameron of Lochiel but settled down when they heard that their commander was Captain Cameron of Fassifern. The ship arrived in New York City in July 1776 and the regiment was attacked by American troops on arrival at Boston Harbor. The 71st Regiment of Foot joined General William Howe at Staten Island and was ordered into combat almost immediately. he next operation for the 71st Regiment was at the Battle of Fort Washington in November 1776 followed by the Battle of Fort Lee later that month. The regiment went on to take part in the Philadelphia Campaign and saw action at the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777. The regiment's last action was at the Siege of Yorktown in September 1781.