The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) was created under the Childers Reforms in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 91^st Argyllshire Highlanders (raised 1794) and 93^rd Sutherland Highlanders (raised 1799) but traces its history back to the raising of the Stirlingshire Militia in 1639.  

During the 19^th Century, the 91^st and 93rd fought in the Napoleonic Wars, the War of 1812 against the United States, numerous colonial conflicts, and the Crimean War, where the 93rd fought one of its most famous actions at the Battle of Balaklava, becoming known as The Thin Red Line.

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders raised twenty-seven battalions during the First World War (1914–1918) and nine during the Second World War (1939–1945). The 1st Battalion served in the 27^th Commonwealth Brigade in the Korean War and gained a high public profile for its role in the withdrawal from Aden in 1967.  The Regiment subsequently undertook operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.

As part of the restructuring of the British Army’s infantry regiments in 2006, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was amalgamated into the Royal Regiment of Scotland.  The 1^st Battalion of The Argylls became the 5^th Battalion of the new Regiment and its Reserve component in 51 Highland Volunteers became the 7^th Battalion.  Following a further defence review in 2012, the 5th Battalion was reduced to a single  company named Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland.  It performs a ceremonial role in Scotland as well as operational duties.

The Regiment also has associated cadet units: The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Battalion Army Cadet Force, elements of the West Lowland Battalion Army Cadet Force and the Dollar Academy Combined Cadet Force.

Affiliations also exist with The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, The Calgary Highlanders (Canada), The New South Wales Regiment (Australia), Byron Scottish (Australia), The Royal Marines and the Royal Navy (HMS Argyll).  The Regiment also has historical links with the Middlesex Regiment and the Scinde Regiment (Pakistan).