FIONA MCGLYNN
The Scotsman
July 16 2005
THE Royal Scots today marched through the Capital for the last time bringing to an end almost 400 years of history.
The pipes and drums of the famous regiment were followed by about 60 soldiers in a poignant parade along the Royal Mile to the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle.
The famous Edinburgh regiment - the oldest infantry regiment in the British Army - are due to be disbanded in November and merged with the King's Own Scottish Borderers.
The controversial merger, which faced widespread and bitter opposition, is part of Government plans for modernising the Army.
Today's Royal Mile March saw the regiment exercising their ancient right to march through the Capital for the last time.
The 100-strong parade from the 1st Battalion Royal Scots (the Royal Regiment) were applauded by the public as they made their way from Holyrood just before midday. They performed a salute when they passed the City Chambers before stopping on the Castle esplanade.
The march was the culmination of a series of freedom marches through the Lothians and followed a recruitment drive in the Meadows.
The Royal Scots are based at Edinburgh's Dreghorn Barracks.
The Ministry of Defence intends to merge five of Scotland's six infantry regiments into a single Royal Regiment of Scotland, scrapping the Royal Scots. Campaigners are still battling to save the regiments, but the merger is expected to be pushed through on November 30 this year.
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Opponents claim the plans will discourage people from becoming soldiers because the historical and individual identity tied to each regiment will disappear.
Neil Griffiths, of the Royal British Legion Scotland, said today was a poignant day for the regiment and everyone attached to it.
He said: "There are 400 years of links between the regiment and the city and this is the last time that people will get the chance to pay their respects. It is the last chance people will get to thank these men who have served the country and the city for 400 years."
The merger decision has provoked an outcry among both serving and retired soldiers and has been opposed by the SNP and the Conservatives.
Those wishing to keep the existing six regiments say that the plans are simply a money-making exercise which will not work.
The other regiments affected will be the Black Watch, the King's Own Scottish Borderers, the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the Highlanders and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Defence ministers have hit back at criticism of their plans, insisting that the new structure will create a more modern and flexible army.
Jeff Duncan, campaign officer for lobby group Save the Scottish Regiments, fears that no-one will want to join a "faceless regiment". He added: "It is incredibly sad to think that this is more than likely the last time they will march through Edinburgh.
"The biggest fear is that recruitment will be damaged because people will not want to join a faceless regiment."
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