The regiment was raised in 1689 and called "Cunningham's Regiment of Dragoons." It was, during the Peninsular War, jocularly nicknamed "The Old Saucy Seventh," also "The Lily White Seventh," from its pale blue uniform and white facings, and also "Young Eyes." It was at first a Scotch Regiment, and it is the custom of its band to play "The Garb of old Gaul" when marching past, and "Hieland Laddie" when trotting. Also called the "Black Horse." It was the senior of the Light Dragoon Regiments when first connected with Hussars. It distinguished itself during the Indian Mutiny, particularly at the passage of the Betwa, where it had a hand-to-hand fight with the enemy's cavalry in the bed of the river. The name of the "Old Straws," or "Strawboots," originated at Warburg, 1760. The boots of the troopers being worn out, straw-bands were substituted for them.