Highlander History
How UCR Became the Highlanders
Though numerous nominations for a campus mascot "including Rocks, Tigers, and Aphids" were presented to UCR's charter students in 1954, "Hylander" emerged from a spirited write-in campaign. Later changed to "Highlander," the theme acknowledged the campus' elevation relative to the rest of the city. Scottish traditions naturally evolved. The Scottish Highlands include the rugged and mountainous regions of Scotland north and west of the Highland Boundary Fault. The Highlands are popularly described as one of the most scenic regions of Europe.
Scottish Influence on UCR's Housing Buildings
The tradition of naming housing buildings after places in Scotland began with the first residence hall, Aberdeen-Inverness, which opened in 1959. It is named for two Scottish port cities.
Lothian Residence Hall opened in 1963 and was named for the Lothian Borders in the south of Scotland. Bannockburn, which was originally an off-campus housing facility before the university purchased it, is named after a famous battle site.
The Glen Mor campus apartments are located near an arroyo at the northeast corner of campus. "Glen Mor bisects the Scottish Highlands, so it seemed an appropriate name for an area bisected by an arroyo," said Andy Plumley, assistant vice chancellor of auxiliary services.
The Falkirk apartment complex is named for the location of a famous battle in 1298, when King Edward I defeated William Wallace. Construction is now underway on the Dundee Student Housing and Glasgow Dining Project, which will house 820 students and include an 830-seat dining facility. Dundee is a city in the eastern central Lowlands of Scotland. Glasgow is the most populous city in Scotland.
"We're the Highlanders and we like our Scottish names," Plumley said. "We won't run out of new names any time soon."
The UCR Pipe Band
The UCR Pipe Band is part of the External Relations division of the University of California, Riverside, and serves as an ambassador for the campus. The band is comprised of a diverse group of musicians performing a wide range of Celtic music played on bagpipes and drums.
The UCR Pipe Band has been incorporated into the music curriculum, enabling students to get credit for performing and taking lessons on pipes or drums. UCR is one of a handful of universities in the world where a student can earn a degree in music playing Scottish pipes or drums.
The UCR Pipe Band won first prize in the Grade 4 Pipe Band Competition in the quick march and timed medleys at the 2007 Highland Games in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The Tartan
The UC Riverside tartan was developed with the expert aid of Linda Clifford with contributions by pipe band members Josh Taylor and Robbie Conacher. The tartan has been registered with the proper authorities in Scotland. The graphic representation shown is an approximation of the finished tartan. The blue is a "royal" blue, the gold slightly more brass and less mustard in color. This tartan has been added to the official UCR logos and other trademark protected properties owned by the University of California.