Royal Regiment marches through Dumfries

Dumfries was awash with military regalia and music on Friday as the Royal Regiment of Scotland exercised its freedom right to march through the town centre.

The regiment, known as SCOTS, was formed in 2006 through the amalgamation of Scotland’s historic infantry regiments to form a single fighting force.

They are the only Scottish line infantry of the British Army and in June 2008 they were granted the freedom of Dumfries and Galloway.

Lieutenant Colonel Hugo I M Clark MBE of The Royal Regiment of Scotland said: “I was really proud to be representing the colonel of the regiment when soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland exercised their freedom of Dumfries.

“We trace our close connection to Dumfries through the King’s Own Scottish Borderers – one of the oldest and most distinguished of our antecedent regiments.”

Councillor Malcolm Johnstone, the civic leader for the local authority, said: “Many local men and women serve in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, carrying out difficult and often dangerous tasks on our behalf, so this was a unique opportunity for the people of Dumfries and Galloway to show their appreciation, and to welcome these soldiers back.

“ Along with our freedom for The Royal British Legion Scotland, and our Armed Forces Covenant, this demonstrates our region’s support for our armed forces.”

Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE, the authority’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “We were extremely pleased to see them exercising their rights in our region.”

As well as the march, which was joined by representatives of local Royal British Legion Scotland branches, the public also got to see exhibitions from the Royal Regiment of Scotland promoting SCOTS heritage and the work of the regimental museum and from the SCOTS Infantry Engagement Team on display in the town