The SCOTS will exercise their Freedom of the City status by stepping off from Stirling Castle and marching down to the Stirling Smith Museum at 10am on Saturday, 24 June, with the regimental mascot, black Shetland pony Cruachan, also in attendance.
Representatives of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have also been invited to participate.
A free, family entertainment programme will be available in the Stirling Smith gardens from 11.30am-2pm. Open to all, it will feature a Central FM roadshow, children’s entertainment and arts and crafts, as well as show and tell items from the museum.
Community
Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Chris Kane, said: “Stirling has a rich military history, dating back centuries, and we are proud to support Armed Forces Day and recognise the service of so many personnel and their families.
“The parade promises to be a colourful spectacle and it will allow the people of Stirling to show their support for the men and women who make up our armed forces community.”
Stirling Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Gene Maxwell, said: “I’m delighted Armed Forces Day is returning to Stirling this year, following a pause for the pandemic.
“There has been strong cross-party support and enthusiasm for the event and I know the people of Stirling will enjoy the chance to thank our armed forces for everything they do. This is one of the leading events of its kind in Scotland."
Armed Forces Day is a UK-wide Ministry of Defence initiative to honour and celebrate the work of the armed forces and those who support them. It aims to raise awareness about the contributions of the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, reservists, veterans, cadets and the wider armed forces community, including service families.
The Colonel of the SCOTS, Lieutenant General Sir Nick Borton, said: “From undertaking gruelling NATO readiness tasks, to being deployed on peacekeeping missions abroad, the tireless work that our soldiers have carried out so far this year, away from the public eye, is vital in protecting our nation’s interests and continued security.
“The Royal Regiment of Scotland is proud to be seen as we march through the streets of Stirling. It is a chance for our modern army to honour and remember our forebearers, whilst demonstrating our ongoing commitment to serving and protecting the nation.”
For more information on Stirling’s Armed Forces Day, please visit: Visitor Guide to Stirling - Local Events, Things to do, Places to stay and lots more (yourstirling.com)
Background
On 20 September 1947, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were granted the Freedom of the Burgh of Stirling. As part of the restructuring of the army’s infantry regiments in 2006, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were amalgamated into The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
On 10 March 2012, the SCOTS were granted the Freedom of the City and exercised their right to march through the city from Stirling Castle to Old Viewforth in a ‘Freedom of the City’ Parade.
Military personnel parading on Armed Forces Day this year also includes Stirling’s local Reservist Infantry Regiment, the 7th Battalion of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who are based at Forthside.