 The name Highlanders was chosen after the early Scottish settlers in the lower South Island . These Scottish settlers were the founders of Dunedin — known as the " Edinburgh of the South " , and the city where the Highlanders are based . According to the Highlanders official website : " The name and image of the Highlander conjures up visions of fierce independence , pride in one 's roots , loyalty , strength , kinship , honesty , and hard work . " 
