Royal Regiment of Scotland – The NEN

Raise a Stein and back a winner at Musselburgh Racecourse Oktoberfest

Musselburgh Racecourse takes on a distinctive Munich-style influence at its next race meeting this Saturday (12 September).

The popular Oktoberfest Raceday – supported by The Royal Regiment of Scotland – is now in its third year and continues to grow in popularity with thousands of racegoers embracing the famous German celebration.

Bavarian oompah bands and bratwurst will be to the fore while on the turf seven quality Flat races – including the £20,000 SCOTS Association Musselburgh Gold Cup – promises a thrilling afternoon of sporting action.

Live oompah band, the Jäger Maestros, will be performing a mix of classic tunes and oompah-style songs while the Oktoberfest Marquee will host a number of fun events, including a stein holding challenge, keg rolling and sing-alongs.

Inspired by the famous Munich Oktoberfest which dates from 1810 and takes place throughout September and October, the East Lothian racecourse has tapped into a rich theme and is encouraging guests to enter the spirt of the raceday by donning traditional lederhosen.

Grand National winning jockey Ryan Mania has completed a soldier’s assault course at Glencorse Barracks and in return a soldier will complete a number of jockey-related challenges at the race meeting. The Regiment will also have a military stand at Oktoberfest setting out some challenges for gallus racegoers.

Street food vans will offer a range of bratwurst, pretzels and German beer, and following the last race (scheduled for 7.20pm) the celebrations continue with an After Racing Party.

The feature race of the day is the £20,000 SCOTS Association Musselburgh Gold Cup over 2m 2f which is supported by six other competitive races, with the first provisionally timed for 4.07pm.

Musselburgh Racecourse Head of Marketing and Business Development, Aisling Johnston, said: “Our Oktoberfest meeting continues to grow each year and returning visitors love the mix of a fun German-inspired event with competitive horse racing.

“We hope guests will dust off their lederhosen and put their best Bavarian foot forward to come along for what will be a hugely entertaining afternoon and evening, topped off with seven exciting Flat races.”

Gates open on 12 September at 2pm and tickets bought in advance are reduced by £5 for a limited period. Children aged 17 years and under are admitted free with four children permitted per paying adult.

The racecourse provides a free shuttle bus service to and from Wallyford and Newcraighall rail stations on each raceday.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Portobello Beach becomes training ground for SCOTS soldiers

Portobello Beach has become an unlikely training ground for soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS), who swapped their usual training area for the shoreline, to undertake an intense Battle PT session on the sands of Edinburgh’s coastline.

The Penicuik-based soldiers took part in the physically demanding training designed to build resilience, teamwork and fitness in a challenging environment.

Throughout the session, the Jocks tackled a series of team-based exercises, carrying weighted burdens across the sand, running through the surf and working together to overcome the challenges posed by the coastal setting.

Battle PT is designed to push soldiers beyond conventional fitness training by incorporating realistic physical challenges that require teamwork, determination and mental resilience. The soft sand, water and additional weight of equipment made even routine exercises significantly more demanding, testing both the physical robustness of the soldiers and their perseverance.

The training comes just weeks after the battalion returned from Exercise SPRING STORM in Estonia, a large multinational NATO exercise conducted close to the Russian border. Moving from the forests of Eastern Europe to the shores of Edinburgh highlights the diverse conditions infantry soldiers must be prepared to face throughout their careers.

LCpl Thomson, 2 SCOTS, who delivered the session, said: “”Training in different environments and across different terrain is extremely important for an infantry soldier. We deploy all over the world and you never know what conditions you’ll find yourself working in.

“Training on sand and in the surf brings its own challenges. The ground is harder to move across, your kit gets heavier when it’s wet and it makes exercises that little bit harder. It pushes everyone physically and forces you to work together.

“As The Royal Regiment of Scotland marks its 20th anniversary this year, it’s been a good reminder of the variety of environments SCOTS soldiers have operated in over the last two decades. We’ve been in forests, deserts, mountains and coastlines so we need to be constantly prepared for whatever comes next.”

“It’s not necessarily the beach trip most people would choose but it’s a great way to develop the fitness, resilience and teamwork you need, and hopefully it’s good preparation for summer leave.”

SCOTS soldiers put through paces in Pentland Hills

The Pentland Hills have become a proving ground for Edinburgh-based soldiers from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (5 SCOTS), undertaking intensive exercises as part of their rigorous field training phase.

The Redford Barracks-based troops are honing the skills that keep them ready for operations at home and overseas, including key operational skills and essentials for modern military operations, through a series of exercises over several weeks.

Soldiers were tested across a range of critical disciplines, including patrol training to refine stealth, communication and situational awareness; navigation across challenging terrain to strengthen their ability to operate independently; and medical training to equip troops with life-saving skills for high-pressure scenarios.

Offensive action drills further developed their tactical precision, coordination and adaptability in combat situations.

This demanding “green phase” prepares 5 SCOTS for its core infantry role ahead of returning to ceremonial duties in the spring.

As The Royal Regiment of Scotland celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, the battalion will deploy south to London, ready to undertake Royal Guard responsibilities in April.

The Royal Regiment of Scotland set to mark 20th anniversary with new commemorative statue

A new sculpture to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) has been granted approval by City of Edinburgh Council.

The bronze reclining lion guarding the SCOTS cap badge will be erected in West Princes Street Gardens and unveiled in 2026, marking exactly 20 years since formation.

SCOTS soldiers, veterans and military families have supported local Edinburgh artist, Kenny Hunter, in the design of the statue. It will be cast in six separate sections, representing the unity of Scotland’s six historic infantry regiments that amalgamated to form SCOTS in 2006.

To reflect SCOTS’ deep ties with the city, the lion will take pride of place in the Edinburgh gardens amongst and is intended as a timeless place of quiet reflection for all, with Regimental Headquarters in Edinburgh Castle serving as a fitting backdrop.

Major General Robin Lindsay CBE, Colonel of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “This statue will stand as a proud symbol of Scotland’s senior line infantry regiment. It reflects our heritage, honours all who have served, and looks ahead to the next generation. It will provide a fitting place for reflection and recognition, not only for the serving and veteran community, but for all who visit our city and its gardens.

“Edinburgh is our home, and we are deeply grateful to City of Edinburgh and those who supported this project, as we mark 20 years of service at home and overseas.”

Formed in 2006, The Royal Regiment of Scotland is the senior and only Scottish line infantry regiment of the British Army. Today, it consists of three regular battalions, two reserve battalions, and an incremental company dedicated to ceremonial duties.

With 2,300 serving soldiers and more than 9,000 veterans and families, The Royal Regiment of Scotland has been one of the most deployed in the past two decades, acting in almost every theatre of operations the British Army has been involved in.

The unveiling of the statue will form part of The Royal Regiment of Scotland’s year-long programme of events marking its 20^th anniversary.

SCOTS soldiers help Edinburgh school students to develop essential skills though new project

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Students from Beeslack High School, Penicuik, had the unique opportunity to interview soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland, working together to create content for the Museum of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at Edinburgh Castle.

Marking a first of its kind, a group of 25 students across S2-S6 took part in this special project, working in partnership with the museum and soldiers from 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS).

The content they produced will be featured on the museum’s online learning hub, offering future students’ valuable insights into life within The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the history of Glencorse barracks.

This collaboration was made possible through Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), a Scotland-wide network that helps young people prepare for the world of work. The project was designed to be accessible to students from various backgrounds and abilities, with the aim of helping them develop essential skills like communication and teamwork.

Over six weeks, soldiers from 2 SCOTS and museum representatives worked closely with the students to improve their interview skills, help them develop thoughtful questions to ask the soldiers and enhance their overall communication abilities and confidence.

Joshua S, 15, a student from Beeslack High School, commented on the opportunity: “I was really excited to take part in this course because I’m in the cadets, but I wanted to learn more about the barracks, which is just up the road from our school.

“The course has been really fun, and I’ve had the chance to ask real-life soldiers questions that me and my mates have always wanted to know, like what’s deployment really like, what’s your favourite military vehicle and who famous have you met. I can even use some of the content I’ve helped film in my college application portfolio!”

Major Joe Willden, Regimental Administration Officer who is attached to 2 SCOTS said: “This has been a great opportunity – the students came prepared, asked us thoughtful questions and really took an interest in what life in the Regiment is actually like.

“It’s not often that we get the chance to support this kind of creative learning, and we were genuinely impressed by the level of enthusiasm they brought to the project.”

Allison Spark, Curator of Museum of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “It’s been brilliant working with the students – helping them build key life skills while also exploring how the modern Royal Regiment of Scotland operates in a way that goes beyond the classroom.

“It’s especially exciting that the content they’ve created will actually be used to teach their peers on our learning hub and will remain a valuable resource for years to come.”

Gladiator victory ‘no surprise’

How SCOTS Military Training Forged Gladiators Champion

The Edinburgh based fitness trainer at the barracks of Gladiators winner Major Finlay Anderson has expressed his lack of surprise at the standout performance of his fellow soldier.

Sergeant John Fleming, who has trained over a thousand soldiers at Glencorse Barracks in the outskirts of Edinburgh, believes Finlay’s military training played a huge part in his success in the hit BBC show.

John, who helps soldiers of all ranks reach and maintain peak physical fitness, said: “I’m not surprised that a soldier from The Royal Regiment of Scotland was able to beat the Gladiators – our training is to the highest, most demanding standards and anyone who is capable of enduring it could really take on the challenge in terms of fitness and endurance.

“The way we train means it’s not just about physical strength and stamina – it’s the mental resilience that gives our soldiers the edge and the ability to take on any challenge.”

SCOTS soldiers under John’s training are required to have a minimum of three physical training sessions per week, at least 60 minutes dedicated to self-directed fitness. And, in the lead-up to operations, sessions significantly increase in intensity, becoming testing and uncomfortable as soldiers’ overall fitness and mental resilience is pushed to extremes.

John said: “Our gym and training ground doesn’t exactly look like the Gladiators stadium, but it certainly is a space where soldiers learn physical discipline and, when necessary, push themselves to their limits.

“Soldiers are first put through the foundation phase, teaching correct movement and injury prevention. We then move onto the resilience phase, where soldiers’ cardio strengths are put to the test in full kit.

“The final phase is the ‘Specific Phase’, which puts soldiers through their paces by focusing on strength training through various testing exercises. This really is the toughest part.”

With seven years as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) under his belt, John has helped over a thousand SCOTS Soldiers develop and improve their own physical training, mental resilience, and overall strength.

Aged just 17, John started his army journey with six years as an Infantry soldier within the Royal Regiment of Scotland and two years as a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer before joining the Royal Army Physical Training Corps (RAPTC), igniting his passion for fitness into his career development.

Ahead of stepping into the official role of Physical Training Instructor (PTI), John endured a tough selection process in Aldershot, which tested his physical and mental strength to the limit. Within the grueling 19-weeks of training, John was taught how to develop advanced physical training techniques, leadership skills, instructional methods and widen his military understanding.

John said: “Being a PTI in the Army is a tough, but extremely rewarding job. Not only do I get to bolster the fittest soldier athletes, but I also get to train those who need some extra support, where Army levels of fitness may not come as naturally to them.”

Two Scottish soldiers prepare to travel abroad for the first time

For most 21-year-olds, their first experience of travelling abroad without their parents is filled with foam parties, budget hotels and questionable cocktails.

For two soldiers in The Royal Regiment of Scotland, their first solo trip is vastly different.

Privates Ethan Wyper and Allan Beveridge are preparing to leave their hometowns for the very first time this month, to support Officer Cadets in an intense training course in Bavaria, Germany.

The course, which is the Officer Cadets final exercise before commissioning as Army Officers from the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, is used to evaluate their abilities to fight and lead in tactical operations.

Ahead of his first ever venture outside of the UK, Private Ethan Wyper from Kilmarnock said: “This my first time abroad, which is exciting in itself. Adding in that the purpose is to see what I’m training towards, in terms of reaching an Officer position, is really motivational.

“I left school at 16 and went to straight into working, so I didn’t have any opportunities to travel. The fact I’m about to spend a week in Germany, training hard with my fellow soldiers – and hopefully getting to experience some of the local culture – is something I never thought I’d have the chance to do.”

For Private Allan Beveridge from Edinburgh, the training exercise also gives an opportunity to travel abroad that he otherwise may not have had. He added: “I left school quite young and knew I wanted to travel to new places and see new things but before joining the Army, I didn’t even have a passport and the furthest I’d ever travelled to was Wales.

“The Regiment helped me through the process of getting a passport, which I’m hugely grateful for, and now I have the opportunity to travel to places I only ever imagined before while also furthering my career in the Army.”

Major Rob Weir, Officer Commanding 5SCOTS, said: “Exercises such are these are crucial for both the professional and personal development of our soldiers.

“Life in The Royal Regiment of Scotland is about far more than simply being battle ready. It’s about helping each individual to be the very best versions of themselves and to broaden their experiences through opportunities they may otherwise not have access to.”

The intense week-long trip will include simulated ambushes with plastic explosives, patrols and other gruelling situational exercises.

Giving Scottish soldiers a chance to see the demanding training first hand, the experience will allow them to understand the challenges that lie ahead as they rise through the ranks of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Edinburgh based reserves put through paces ahead of NATO training

Two Aberdeenshire born reserve soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland have just returned home after completing an intensive weekend training exercise in the wild terrain and harsh weather conditions of the Pentlands.

Private David Gray (25), whose civilian job is a butcher, and Private Cameron Gillies (26), who works in Public Affairs in Edinburgh, spent their weekend undertaking the highly challenging patrol exercise designed to test the physical fitness and robustness, mental resilience, navigation, and military knowledge.

The soldiers took part in the exercise alongside other troops and had to navigate between a series of checkpoints and conduct a military task at each stand. One stand included a test of how quickly they could treat a casualty and extract them to a safe area 1km away from the incident point.

Troops will progress onto more arduous training in the months ahead and are currently working towards being selected for the Cambrian Patrol in Wales in October this year – widely considered to be NATO’s toughest patrolling test.

Private David Gillies, a reservist in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “My civilian role is a different type of pressure, dealing with legislation and briefing politicians.

“The army reserve gives me the chance to do something completely different, to challenge myself and be surrounded with like-minded people who are committed to serving their country.

“Training weekends after a full working week is tough, but I love it – and it keeps me fit when I’m away from my desk”.

Scottish soldiers share top tips to stick to New Year resolutions

Soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland have revealed their army hacks to help civilians stick to their 2024 goals

Nearly a third of the Brits will be setting New Year’s resolutions just now, with ambitions around health and wellbeing, from reducing stress to exercising more, being among the most popular.

But despite these good intentions, one in five resolution setters will call it quits by the end of January, with many citing feelings of pressure and lack of perseverance as their main setback.

With characteristics of resilience and dedication built into them from the start of their army careers, soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland have shared their top tips help the British public stick to the commitments they’ve made to themselves this year.

The key to success? Visualise it.

“Don’t let negative thoughts embed themselves. A positive and can-do mindset is the bedrock of success. Take the time to visualise your goals – it will make the path to success much clearer. Flexibility is key too. If one day doesn’t go as planned, get up and start over afresh the next.” – Cpl Fraser Hall, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland

10 minutes is all you need to set yourself up for success tomorrow

“I always make sure to set aside 10 minutes after every working day to sit and digest my tasks and goals for the next day. That small space of time is crucial to help me mentally prepare for the next day.” – WO2 Sean McKnight, Regimental Sergeant Major, 6^th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Keep cool and carry on

“An ice bath is a great way to de-stress and think clearly. Whilst taking the initial plunge may be a bit daunting, it forces you to focus on being present in the moment and concentrate solely on your breathing, helping you to feel calmer. But, if it’s really not for you things like the headspace app are great for mental health and wellbeing, and getting you into the right space of mind for the day ahead.” WO1 Ryan Robertson, Regimental Sergeant Major, 1st Battalion The Ranger Regiment.

Embracing the outdoors? Be prepared

“To help you spend more time outside, rain or shine, it’s a good idea to ‘waterproof your waterproofs’. What this means is layering up and wearing the correct fabrics to make sure you don’t end up soaked through!

Your mid layer fleece or jacket shouldn’t be cotton either, as this will retain moisture and not protect you from any wind or rain – a polyester-base is best as it will keep you protected against the elements. We always keep a dry kit in our bags, too. Using it is an absolute last resort, but can be a life saver when out in tough weather, so it’s definitely something to consider if you plan to be outdoors for longer periods of time, or on tough terrain.” Capt Scott McFadden, Regimental Adjutant, The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Work movement into everyday

“Try to work movement into activities that would usually be stationary. Can your meeting be done while taking a walk round the block? Then what’s stopping you? Life at the regiment requires you to balance a lot of different training, activities and information, so one thing I always do is make any sit down meeting a moving meeting. When you get up and start moving, your ideas flow a lot more and a change of environment can help when needing a fresh perspective.” – WO1 Bradley Warwick, Regimental Sergeant Major, 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Scottish soldiers mark King Charles’ first visit to Scotland

A year of ceremonial duties for The Royal Regiment of Scotland – but the ‘day job’ doesn’t stop

TODAY Wednesday (5^th July) saw King Charles and Queen Camilla make their first visit to Scotland since the coronation in May earlier this year.

To mark the occasion, over 60 soldiers from The Royal Regiment of Scotland took to the streets, swapping their usual green combat gear for ceremonial uniform as they led a procession down the Royal Mile to St Giles’ Cathedral.

The King’s visit is one of a number of events that the Regiment has carried out this year as it balances its ceremonial duties with being the most deployed unit within the British Armed Forces.

While they’ve been away from the public eye, soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland have carried out a number of physically and mentally testing training missions, both in the UK and abroad.

From training alongside allies in Nato readiness tests in hundreds of hours of challenges across vast and rough terrain in freezing temperatures, to being deployed on peacekeeping missions in Mali that saw soldiers on patrol, engaging with the local community and mentoring foreign forces.

While today’s event wasn’t quite as demanding, preparation back in the barracks at home was nonetheless been carried out in true military fashion.

Lieutenant Damiani, from The Royal Regiment of Scotland, said: “Our troops that are parading on Wednesday have been practicing their drills, pipes and drums for weeks – balancing this with their countless other responsibilities.”

Some of the soldiers taking part in the parade recently returned from an intensive six-week training programme working with the Canadian Army.

Wessex Storm, which took place on Salisbury Plain Training Area, is a routine validation exercise which ensures individual units are ready to deploy at any given time as part of a larger battlegroup.

Damiani added: “As we gather to celebrate another landmark day in British history, our presence at stately events is always one of commitment to protecting and serving our nation.

“So much of what we do is behind closed doors, so it’s always a proud moment for our soldiers to be able to march on their home turf and have a such a visible role at these important events.”

Today’s events in Edinburgh to mark the coronation included a people’s procession, a royal procession and a national service of thanksgiving where The King was presented with the Honours of Scotland – the oldest crown jewels in Britain.

The day’s events concluded with a 21 gun salute at Edinburgh Castle and a flypast by the Red Arrows.