According to a press release from the British Army, Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, proudly formed the Guard of Honour to officially welcome His Majesty The King to Balmoral on 19 August 2024, marking the beginning of the King’s summer stay in Scotland.
The Guard of Honour was led by Major Neil Cargill, Officer Commanding Balaklava Company, who took on this prestigious role in July.
Reflecting on the occasion, Major Cargill expressed his pride in upholding this long-standing Highland tradition.
“Taking on the role of His Majesty The King’s Royal Guard Commander at Balmoral is an immense honour and to be given the responsibility of upholding this fine long-standing highland tradition during such a significant occasion is a real privilege which will never be forgotten,” he said.
The ceremonial event featured performances by The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland and, for the first time, The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Corps of Signals, led by Corps Pipe Major Mark Black and Drum Major Peter Pearson.
Following the arrival ceremony, the King’s Royal Guard paraded through Ballater, carrying the Ballater Colour from East Bridge to Victoria Bridge, passing the War Memorial.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire, Alexander (Sandy Manson), took the salute alongside Brigadier Jody Davies MBE, Commander of 51 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland.
Balaklava Company will continue to serve as the Royal Guard at Balmoral throughout the King’s stay.
There are often comments about the abundance of braid. The army used to have a Lt Gen as GOC Scotland many moons ago. Then reduced the post to Maj Gen. Now it is a Brigadier holding this post in addition to commanding a brigade. I hope the RN and RAF are also doing similar.
TBF the Brigadier in charge of 51st Inf isn’t really commanding a brigade since you know… it’s subordinate units consist of Balaklava Coy.
I had not realised that. Quite a shock to me. Clearly a large number of units (maybe all of them?) in Scotland are ADMINCON (as we used to say) by HQ 51st Inf Bde – that is not a trivial task.
Yep, HQ 51 Bde and RPOC Scotland. GOC Sc was at Craighall if I remember correctly.
I’m so tempted to start some s***t on the Type 45 article… I’m being a very restrained person right now.
And breathe……mate.
Nah, it’s not a breathe, it’s just that it would be funny.
Well indulge then, why deny yourself some pleasure.
Fair, lets see if Andy takes the bait, or actually understands what I’m referencing.
I’m confident he’ll take the bait, but not link your words with his own from over a week ago, or see the parallels.
I suspect you are right, but it still made me smile.
How things change. When did 51x cease to be a conventionally organised brigade in the Field Force? GOC SCOTLAND was at Craigiehall. Montagu-Evans website lists the sale of the barracks there: “The former headquarters of the British Army in Scotland has been sold to Miller Developments and the William Pears Group, both advised by Savills. The William Pears Group is acquiring the 78 former MOD houses for refurbishment, whilst Miller Developments is acquiring the balance of the 96 acre site for future redevelopment. The site is located on the north-west fringe of Edinburgh, adjacent to the established prime residential areas… Read more »
I may be wrong, but I think it was post 2015 when the Strike Bde fiasco came in.
Up to that time 1 Division had 2 deployable LI Bdes. They were deployable insofar as 5 “sets” of CS CSS units existed for those two Bdes, plus the 3 AI Bdes in the “Reaction” Force, 3 UK Division.
51 is now a regional Bde alike 160 Welsh and 38 Irish.
The RAF have nominated an LAC to take on the role.
No such thing anymore unfortunately pal.
You don’t know the RAF! – they have never been keen to downsize posts!
Since January 2024, the appointment of Air Officer Scotland has been held by Air Commodore Bill Gibson ie Brig equivalent, so admitedly the same rank ‘boss’ as the army.
However, over in NI, since January 2024, the appointment of Air Officer NI has been held by Air Marshal Sean Keith Reynolds, equivalent to a Lt General(!) and there aren’t that many RAF units in NI.
I can not think of one off the top of my head. That needs downgrading.