Free Republic

AFTER 373 years of pride, sacrifice and service, The Royal Scots - the oldest regiment in the British Army - marked its passing yesterday with an emotional march through Edinburgh. Large crowds ignored the drizzle to pay tribute to the regiment's proud history while also hailing a new future as a battalion. The Royal Scots will merge later this year with the King's Own Scottish Borderers to form The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland. The parade also celebrated the return of active servicemen from an operational tour in some of Iraq's most dangerous hotspots. Some...

ROYAL Scots soldiers today bade a fond farewell to their loved ones as they set off for their final mission before the famous regiment is disbanded. Around 90 soldiers left Dreghorn Barracks this morning bound for Iraq. By Monday, more than 500 members of the 373-year-old Edinburgh-based regiment - the oldest infantry regiment in the British Army - will be stationed in Baghdad and Basra. While they are there, the proud regiment will be consigned to history, with the minimum of fuss. On March 28, the Royal Scots will merge with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers to become one of...