Yesterday (1 July) His Majesty The King, Colonel in Chief of The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS), unveiled a statue in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, to mark the 20th anniversary of the formation of the regiment.
His Majesty The King unveiling the new statue, a bronze reclining lion guarding the regiment’s cap badge, designed by local Edinburgh artist, Kenny Hunter.
His Majesty The King marking the 20th Anniversary of the formation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
A plaque sited alongside the new statue, marking the unveiling in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.
Hi Majesty The King, accompanied by the Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Robin Lindsay CBE, meeting guests at the ceremony.
5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland in the park with their Colours, in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.
The statue, a bronze reclining lion guarding the regiment’s cap badge, was designed by local Edinburgh artist, Kenny Hunter. It was cast in six separate sections, representing the unity of Scotland’s six historic infantry regiments that amalgamated to form the SCOTS in 2006.
“What a memorable day for the capital as we celebrate this important milestone for the SCOTS. The parade was a spectacular sight as the regiment exercised its Freedom of the City marching through the heart of the city with drums beating, bayonets fixed and colours flying."
Before the unveiling ceremony the SCOTS exercised the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh in full ceremonial dress, parading from the Palace of Holyroodhouse, past the City Chambers, where the Rt Hon Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Councillor Robert Aldridge, took the salute.
He said: “What a memorable day for the capital as we celebrate this important milestone for the SCOTS. The parade was a spectacular sight as the regiment exercised its Freedom of the City marching through the heart of the city with drums beating, bayonets fixed and colours flying.
"It was a great honour to welcome His Majesty The King to unveil the new statue, which stands as a fitting tribute to those who have and continue to serve with the Royal Regiment of Scotland.”
“Today is a proud moment in the history of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. We are very grateful for the opportunity to exercise the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh"
The parade consisted of a Colour Party and a ceremonial guard from each battalion, veterans of the SCOTS Association and regimental mascot Corporal Cruachan IV, with music provided by The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Regiment’s Pipes and Drums.
The Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Robin Lindsay CBE, who accompanied His Majesty The King during the ceremony said:
“Today is a proud moment in the history of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. We are very grateful for the opportunity to exercise the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh; a great opportunity to affirm our connection with the city and its people.
“The statue will be a rallying point for the Regiment; a place for members of the regimental family and the public who we serve to gather, to celebrate, to commemorate, or just to be.”
"We are also incredibly grateful that the city has allowed us to raise a statue in Princes Street Gardens, in the heart of Scotland’s capital. The statue will be a rallying point for the Regiment; a place for members of the regimental family and the public who we serve to gather, to celebrate, to commemorate, or just to be.”
The SCOTS are a regiment steeped in Scottish martial traditions and heritage. It is the British Army’s senior line infantry regiment and only Scottish line infantry.
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