The Army in Scotland

Royal Gun Salute celebrating the Coronation of The King and Queen

Today a 21 Gun Salute fired from Edinburgh Castle in celebration of the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen.

The Coronation of Their Majesties took place on Saturday 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey, with Gun Salutes in each of the capitals of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom, synchronised with the high point of the Coronation Service.

Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland provided the ceremonial guard at Edinburgh Castle accompanied by the Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland also delivered musical support as they led out 26th Regiment Royal Artillery, the saluting troop. The Reviewing Officer, Commander 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland, Brigadier Jody Davies MBE was piped to the saluting troop by a solo piper from The Scots Guards.

The tradition of the 21-gun salute dates back hundreds of years. Originally rooted in naval custom, it has become the highest ceremonial honour, reserved for royal occasions, heads of state and major national events.

Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland(BKA Coy, 5 SCOTS) will return to London this week to take up their duties as the King’s Guard for the second time. To ensure they were 'Fit for Role', the Household Division’s Brigade Major, Lieutenant Colonel Charles Foinette travelled from London to inspect them at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh. The troops were put through their paces as they paraded in full ceremonial uniform, supported by the Pipes and Drums of the 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS).

B Company 3 RIFLES recently conducted an annual Battlecraft Syllabus Training package at platoon level, in Galloway Forest on Ex WRATHFUL BADGER.
Riflemen learned to use the ATAK (Android Tactical Awareness Kit- situational awareness system) and practised living and fighting in difficult forest terrain.

Muster, March and Remember. The Royal Regiment of Scotland celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

To celebrate its 20th Anniversary, the Royal Regiment of Scotland gathered last Sunday on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle to march through the city to honour the event.

The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) is the senior line infantry regiment of the British Army.

The Royal Regiment of Scotland was initially made up of six regular and two Army reserve battalions on amalgamation of six proud historical Scottish Infantry Regiments. In August 2006 two of the regular battalions were merged and in 2012 one of the regular battalions was reduced to a company strength with sole responsibility for Scotland's State Ceremonial and Public Duties. In December 2021 our 1st Battalion was selected to become the 1st Battalion of the new Ranger Regiment. We continue to provide SCOTS soldiers and officers to support its specialist role in the Army Special Operations Brigade.
Today the Regiment is made up of three regular battalions, one regular incremental company and two Army reserve battalions. The Regimental Headquarters is located in Edinburgh Castle, and SCOTS regular and reserve battalions are based across Scotland and Northern England. The Regiment is structured, equipped and trained for operations in the 21st Century.

Balaklava Company (5 SCOTS) of the Royal Regiment of Scotland celebrated its 20th anniversary with a ‘dawn ascent’ up the famous Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh last Saturday. The 823-foot-high extinct volcano dominates the Edinburgh skyline inside Holyrood Park, the city being home to the Army's BKA COY infantry. Joined by the Regimental Pony Cruachan IV (to the halfway point!) the Company took in the majestic skyline views of Edinburgh from the summit, and also the 60 miles per hour winds for a quick group pic before descending quickly after!

Happy 20th birthday to The Royal Regiment of Scotland!

(Pictures from the Formation Day, 28th March 2006 at Edinburgh Castle)

Royal visit for Kinloss-based soldiers

Last week, soldiers from 39 Engineer Regiment, based in Kinloss, were honoured to host His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester.

The visit, arranged to coincide with His Royal Highness being in Moray, provided an opportunity for The Duke to meet members of the Regiment ahead of their upcoming deployment on Operation TOSCA.

Operation TOSCA is a six-month United Nations peacekeeping tour in Cyprus.

His Royal Highness, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Air Commodore (Ret’d) Alastair Monkman, was welcomed to Kinloss Barracks by a Guard of Honour, formed by eight senior soldiers from the Regiment.

During the visit, His Royal Highness also presented operational medals to several soldiers in recognition of their service.

The Duke of Gloucester serves as Honorary Colonel of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia), whose personnel will deploy alongside the 39 Engineer Regiment to Cyprus.

This year marks the 14th Anniversary of 39 Engineer Regiment’s presence at Kinloss Barracks, formerly an RAF station.

Do you know why our medics are training in an underground field hospital?⚕️
Every situation has its challenges, but this method of care could be essential in modern warfare.
Find out why ⬇️
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British Army reserves tested their specialist medical skills working with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Multi-Agency Resilience Training and Exercise Unit (SMARTEU), at the SFRS National Training Centre in .

Members of 144 (Parachute) Medical Squadron, who are based in Glasgow and form part of 16 Medical Regiment, took part in this multi-agency exercise.

They are the only reserve medical unit with a parachute capability.

144 (Parachute) Medical Squadron provide vital dismounted first line medical and secondary healthcare support to both soldiers and civilians all over the world, as part of the Global Rapid Reaction Force.

This multi-agency exercise, which simulated a gas explosion in a village, was designed to allow soldiers to develop their skills: collaborating with other agencies, decision-making in a dynamic and evolving operational scenario and leadership. The squadron established and operated a functioning Pre-Hospital Treatment Team and casualty clearing station, to assist in the co-ordination of the major incident.

16 Medical Regiment supports 16 Air Assault Brigade, the British Army’s global response force.

Its personnel - including consultant orthopaedic surgeons, dentists, nurses, and combat medical technicians - are specially trained to deploy by parachute, helicopter, or airlanding.