The side had some success at army level, winning the Durand Cup in India in 1889, 1890, 1893, 1894, and 1895 - the third consecutive win entitling the regiment to possession of the trophy outright.[2] On the battalion's return to the United Kingdom in 1900, it entered - and won - the Army Challenge Cup and Military League.[3] It won the Aldershot Cup in 1901–02, having been finalists the previous season.[4][5]
Its second and last season as a senior club however was less successful, as the battalion was re-deployed to Cork in January 1909, replaced at Fort George by the Seaforth Highlanders.[8] The club therefore finished the Highland League at the bottom, albeit the club did earn a surprise 3–0 win at Inverness Caledonian in the Qualifying Cup,[9] losing to Clachnacuddin in the second round. It was duly struck from the Scottish FA roll at the start of the 1909–10 season[10] and never re-joined the association. On a return to the area, the H.L.I. won the North Caledonian League (playing mostly against Highland League reserve sides) in 1937–38 and 1938–39.[11]
Colours
The club wore white jerseys with a tartan sash, and dark shorts and stockings; the regiment used the Mackenzie tartan.[12]
Ground
The club's ground during its run as a senior club in Scotland was at its Fort George barracks near Inverness.[13] One issue was the club could not use the ground for Cup ties and had to play them all away from home, regardless of draw.
References
^"Out-station notes". Civil & Military Gazette (Lahore): 3. 1 December 1886.
^"2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry Football Team". Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News =: 17. 8 February 1896.
^"Scottish army footballers". Scottish Referee - Friday 03: 3. 3 May 1901.
^"2nd Highland Light Infantry F.C.". Navy & Army Illustrated: 129. 26 April 1902.
