Information AboutRoyal Scots |
The Royal Scots were the oldest, and therefore most senior, Infantry Regiment of the line in the British Army , having been raised in 1633 during the reign of Charles I Of Scotland . The regiment was one of six that were part of the Scottish Division until 2006 . Their nickname was Pontius Pilate 's bodyguard, from a legend that prior to the Resurrection Christ 's tomb was guarded by Caledonian ( Scottish ) Legionaries . The Royal Scots' claim to be decended from this unit is unsubstantiated. Their claim to ancient roots was blandly repeated some years ago without any actual evidence, however, when the BBC created a series on the traditions of British Regiments and approached the Royal Scots for a contribution. The response was that, as the oldest regiment in the army, it was not necessary to have "traditions"; these would be left to those regiments more junior to them. The Royal Scots were also known as "First of foot, right of the line and the pride of the British army" The 7/9 battalion was known as "The Dandy Ninth" being the only kilted battalion of this lowland regiment which was mainly recruited from highlanders emigrated to the Edinburgh area. (Source. W Hay Melville Castle.) As of 2004 , the Royal Scots was one of five line infantry regiments never to be amalgamated in its entire history, a claim shared by:
RESTRUCTURING OF THE INFANTRY In 2004, as part of the British Government's defence review, it was announced that Scotland would lose an infantry battalion. This will be achieved through the amalgamation of the Royal Scots with the King's Own Scottish Borderers, with the single battalion forming part of the new Royal Regiment Of Scotland . All nineteen single battalion regiments of infantry remaining in the British Army were merged into larger units during 2006. ALLIANCES
BATTLE HONOURS
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