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The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) paraded through Forres today as part of their Tour of the North celebrating three decades since they amalgamated from the Queen’s Own Highlanders and the Gordon Highlanders.
Forres was their second stop, having also paraded in Nairn earlier, and heading to Buckie and Huntly tomorrow (19 September).
The parade was made up of soldiers from the 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS), accompanied by 4 SCOTS Pipes and Drums, and the Regimental Mascot, Corporal Cruachan IV, a Shetland pony!
The soldiers marched from the war memorial through the high street of Forres on a bright and warm afternoon, where they were met by crowds of onlookers and schoolchildren. Drummers from the pipe band entertained the youngsters by letting them beat on their drums.
30th anniversary tour
Upon the formation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006, the 4th Battalion were formed from The Highlanders, and thus maintain the golden thread to the antecedent regiments, whilst still observing the traditions of The Highlanders and links with the local area to this day.
This tour is celebrating the Regiment’s history and linage as the ‘Highlanders’. This will also be an opportunity for pervious serving members of the battalion to take part in the celebrations and reconnect with 4 SCOTS, as they are known today.
Ahead of these marches, to celebrate 30 years since the formation of The Highlanders (now known as 4 SCOTS), SCOTS soldiers recreated the famous meeting of the Gordon Highlanders and Queen’s Own Highlanders at Craigellachie Bridge. Veterans of the antecedent Regiment met with current SCOTS soldiers on the bridge to honour The Royal Regiment of Scotland’s past and future.
