TODAY (Friday 30 June) 60 members of the proud Royal Scots Regimental Family will meet for an informal gathering at The Royal Scots Memorial Club in Abercromby Place to mark 40 years on from the regiment’s 350th anniversary celebration events in both London and Edinburgh in 1983, that marked the First of Foot’s 350 years of unbroken service to Sovereign and country.
All those taking part in this special Regimental event felt that this double anniversary should be recognised.
They all have a unique common bond of shared experiences. They were all members of the Royal Scots Regimental Family in 1983 for the events that marked a very significant milestone both in Pontius Pilate’s Bodyguard’s long and distinguished history, and the very significant service and sacrifice of those serving at the time. The Royal Scots heritage is all about people, traditionally recruited from Edinburgh, the Lothians and Peebles, their stories, and their experiences.
Both the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Ashmore, and the Regimental Sergeant Major, RSM Ian Johnstone, will be attending the gathering. The charity, Fares 4 Free, has enabled two Regimental widows, from Kilmarnock and Livingston, to attend.
Overview of 350th Anniversary events in 1983:
· Royal Scots Train with serving Royal Scots and veterans from the two World Wars and more recent campaigns travelled to London for a Reception in the National Armoury on the 28th of March; 350 years to the day since the founding of The Royal Scots by Sir john Hepburn at Athelstaneford.
· The 1st Battalion of The Royal Scots paraded in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, for the Royal Review by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and to Troop the Colour, on 30th June.
· On 1st July The 1st Battalion of The Royal Scots, Royal Scots veterans, and contingents from their affiliated Gurkha and Canadian regiments, and Army cadets marched along Princes Street, where the salute was taken by HRH Princess Anne, who was appointed the Regimental Colonel in Chief at Holyrood Park the previous day.
· Rededication of The Royal Scots Monument in Princes Street Gardens.
Colonel Mike Ashmore CBE (commanding officer, and parade commander, of the 1st Battalion on the Royal Review): “It was my privilege to command the 1st Battalion in 1983 and to be the Parade Commander on 30th June 1983 when her late Majesty the Queen took the salute at the Royal Review in Holyrood Park.
“In her address to those present Her Majesty said that she was pleased to announce the appointment of Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, who was also at the parade, to be The Royal Scots Colonel in Chief.
“At the 300th anniversary in 1933 in Aldershot my father was the Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, so I felt doubly privileged to be able to take part in the 350th anniversary celebrations. Incidentally my father was present at the 350th Royal Review and was in the audience for the March along Princes Street the next day.
“There were many other important events in and around Edinburgh marking the 350th, not least the the Marches through the towns where the Freedom had been granted, Peebles, Haddington, Musselburgh and Linlithgow.”
Major Ian Johnstone (RSM of Ist Battalion on the Royal Review in 1983): “My family have served in The Royal Scots for many generations.
“To have such an important role for the 350th celebrations was a wonderful experience that will never forget; I was so proud of all those Royal Scots on parade.”
Colonel Martin Gibson OBE DL (serving major at the time of the Review in 1983, and lead of the team who have organised the Gathering in 2023): “This is a very special gathering that will have everyone reflecting on their experiences and, in particular, of 40 years ago when every one of the 963 Royal Scots serving across the world was issued with a 1633- 1983 medallion.
“We are very proud that when The Royal Scots left the Army’s order of battle in 2006 after 373 years our Royal title and the privilege of being Right of The Line was carried forward by The Royal Regiment of Scotland, today’s Scottish infantry.
“We are very grateful to the veterans’ charity FARES4FREE for making it possible for three of those attending coming to the gathering to get here and enjoy renewing friendships.
“From our origins way back in 1633 to 2006 our unique story is told in our Regimental Museum within Edinburgh Castle.”
When it was disbanded in 2006 The Royal Scots, The Royal Regiment, was the oldest Infantry Regiment in the British Army, having been in the UK Order of Battle for 373 unbroken years.
Having been involved in almost every campaign the British Army had taken part in since it formed in 1633, it had more than earned its title, First of Foot and Right of the Line (Most senior infantry regiment of the line in the British Army).
In 2006, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) was formed from its antecedent regiments, including The Royal Scots – from whom they inherited the Royal title and the privilege of being Right of The Line – and take forward the traditions and heritage as Scotland’s Infantry.
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