The brigade fought in both the First and the Second World Wars, assigned to 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division.

[2] After the Volunteers were subsumed into the new Territorial Force (TF) under the Haldane Reforms of 1908,[3][4] the Highland Light Infantry Brigade formed part of the Lowland Division of the TF with the following composition:[5][6][7][8] Upon the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, the Lowland Division was mobilised immediately for full-time war service.

This was to avoid confusion with the 2nd Line duplicates which were also forming up and training as the 196th (2/1st Highland Light Infantry) Brigade of 65th (2nd Lowland) Division.

[13] In 1938, due to an increasing need to strengthen the anti-aircraft defences of the country, the 7th Battalion, HLI was transferred to the Royal Artillery and converted into 83rd (7th (Blythswood) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry) Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Royal Artillery.

157 Brigade Group moved to NW Europe independently with the following additional units under command:[16] The brigade and attached units reverted to divisional command when 52nd (L) Division arrived by sea in October to take part in ground operations.