Jump to content

Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Fix Linter errors.
 
(44 intermediate revisions by 28 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS)
| unit_name = Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland
|image=Queen's Own Highlanders.gif
| image = Queen's Own Highlanders.gif
|caption=Former cap badge of the Highlanders
| caption = Former cap badge of the Highlanders
|dates=17 September 1994 - present
| dates = 17 September 1994 – present
|country={{flag|United Kingdom}}
| country = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|branch={{army|United Kingdom}}
| branch = {{army|United Kingdom}}
|type=[[Infantry]]
| type = [[Infantry]]
|command_structure=[[20th Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Infantry Brigade]]
| command_structure = [[20th Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Infantry Brigade]]
|role=[[Mechanized Infantry]]
| role = [[Mechanized Infantry]]
|size= [[Battalion]]<br/>743 personnel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616|title=Army – Question for Ministry of Defence|page=1|access-date=14 December 2020}}</ref>
| size = [[Battalion]]<br />743 personnel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616|title=Army – Question for Ministry of Defence|page=1|access-date=14 December 2020}}</ref>
|current_commander=
| current_commander =
| garrison = RHQ – [[Cameron Barracks]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qohldrs.co.uk/html/contacts.htm|title=Contacts for Queen's Own Highlanders|access-date=24 February 2021}}</ref><br />Battalion – [[Catterick Garrison]]
|garrison=[[Catterick Garrison|Bourlon Barracks]], [[Catterick Garrison]]
|ceremonial_chief= [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|The Duke of Edinburgh]]
| ceremonial_chief =
|ceremonial_chief_label=Colonel-in-Chief
| ceremonial_chief_label = Colonel-in-Chief
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
|nickname=
| nickname =
|motto=''Cuidich 'n Righ'' (Help the King)
| motto = ''Cuidich 'n Righ'' (Help the King)
|colours=
| colours =
|march=Quick: ''Wee Highland Laddie''
| march = Quick: ''Wee Highland Laddie''
|mascot=
| mascot =
|battles=
| battles =
|notable_commanders=
| notable_commanders =
|anniversaries=
| anniversaries =
|identification_symbol_2=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100919022713/http://www.regiments.org/tradition/tartans/gordon.htm Gordon (kilt)]<br />[https://web.archive.org/web/20101011211649/http://www.regiments.org/tradition/tartans/mackenz.htm Seaforth Mackenzie (trews)]<br />[https://web.archive.org/web/20071016203921/http://www.regiments.org/tradition/tartans/camerone.htm Cameron of Erracht (pipers and drummers kilts)]
| identification_symbol_2 = [https://web.archive.org/web/20100919022713/http://www.regiments.org/tradition/tartans/gordon.htm Gordon (kilt)]<br />[https://web.archive.org/web/20101011211649/http://www.regiments.org/tradition/tartans/mackenz.htm Seaforth Mackenzie (trews)]<br />[https://web.archive.org/web/20071016203921/http://www.regiments.org/tradition/tartans/camerone.htm Cameron of Erracht (pipers and drummers kilts)]
|identification_symbol_2_label=Tartan
| identification_symbol_2_label = Tartan
|identification_symbol=[[Image:Highlanders TRF.svg|70px]]
| identification_symbol = [[Image:Highlanders TRF.svg|70px]]
|identification_symbol_label=Tactical Recognition Flash
| identification_symbol_label = Tactical Recognition Flash
|identification_symbol_3=Blue<br /><small>From Queens Own Cameron Highlanders/Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)</small>
| identification_symbol_3 = Blue<br /><small>From Queens Own Cameron Highlanders/Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)</small>
|identification_symbol_3_label=Hackle
| identification_symbol_3_label = Hackle
}}
}}
'''The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS)''' is an [[infantry]] [[battalion]] of the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]].
The '''Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland''' ('''4 SCOTS''') is an [[infantry]] [[battalion]] of the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]].


Prior to 28 March 2006, the Highlanders was an infantry [[regiment]] in its own right; '''[[The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)]]''', part of the [[Scottish Division]]. The regiment was one of only two in the British Army with a [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] motto - ''Cuidich 'n Righ'' which means "Help the King".<ref>{{Cite book|title=Queen's Own Highlanders: A Short History.|page=6. Regimental H.Q., QO Hldrs.}}</ref> The other is the [[Royal Irish Regiment (1992)|Royal Irish Regiment]], whose motto is ''Faugh a Ballagh'' (an anglicised version of the Gaelic ''Fág an Bealach!'' - Clear the Way!)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal-irish.com/stories/a-tradition-is-born-the-origin-of-the-motto-faugh-a-ballagh-and-the-royal-irish-green-hackle|title=A Tradition is Born - the Origin of the motto 'Faugh a Ballagh' and the Royal Irish Green Hackle|publisher=Royal Irish|access-date=26 April 2018}}</ref>
Prior to 28 March 2006, the Highlanders was an infantry [[regiment]] in its own right; '''The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)''', part of the [[Scottish Division]]. The regiment was one of only two in the British Army with a [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] motto – ''Cuidich 'n Righ'' which means "Help the King".<ref>{{Cite book|title=Queen's Own Highlanders: A Short History.|page=6. Regimental H.Q., QO Hldrs}}</ref> (The other is the [[Royal Irish Regiment (1992)|Royal Irish Regiment]].)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royal-irish.com/stories/a-tradition-is-born-the-origin-of-the-motto-faugh-a-ballagh-and-the-royal-irish-green-hackle|title=A Tradition is Born - the Origin of the motto 'Faugh a Ballagh' and the Royal Irish Green Hackle|publisher=Royal Irish|access-date=26 April 2018|archive-date=12 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112162056/http://www.royal-irish.com/stories/a-tradition-is-born-the-origin-of-the-motto-faugh-a-ballagh-and-the-royal-irish-green-hackle|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Line 38: Line 39:
The regiment was formed on 17 September 1994 as part of the [[Options for Change]] defence review, by the amalgamation of the [[Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)]] and the [[Gordon Highlanders]].<ref name=bau>{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/highlanders-seaforth-gordons-and-camerons.html|title=Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref>
The regiment was formed on 17 September 1994 as part of the [[Options for Change]] defence review, by the amalgamation of the [[Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)]] and the [[Gordon Highlanders]].<ref name=bau>{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/highlanders-seaforth-gordons-and-camerons.html|title=Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref>


The new regiment undertook a two-year tour of Northern Ireland from April 1995, and were stationed at [[Ebrington Barracks]] in [[County Londonderry]]. After being based in various locations around the United Kingdom, the battalion was deployed to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] in 2003.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Highlander. ''The Regimental Journal of The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordon and Cameron)'', Winter 2003, Volume 9, Number 2.}}</ref>
The new regiment undertook a two-year tour of Northern Ireland from April 1995, and were stationed at [[Ebrington Barracks]] in [[County Londonderry]]. After being based in various locations around the United Kingdom, the battalion was deployed to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] in 2003.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Highlander. ''The Regimental Journal of The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordon and Cameron)'', Winter 2003, Volume 9, Number 2.}}</ref>


In 2004, as part of the [[Delivering Security in a Changing World|restructuring of the infantry]], it was announced that The Highlanders would be amalgamated with the other Scottish infantry regiments into the single large [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]. The amalgamation took place on 28 March 2006. As with the other Scottish regiments, the Highlanders were permitted to retain their former name as the new [[battalion]]'s primary title, with the battalion number as a subtitle. They therefore became ''The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland''.<ref name=bau/>
In 2004, as part of the [[Delivering Security in a Changing World|restructuring of the infantry]], it was announced that The Highlanders would be amalgamated with the other Scottish infantry regiments into the single large [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]. The amalgamation took place on 28 March 2006. As with the other Scottish regiments, the Highlanders were permitted to retain their former name as the new [[battalion]]'s primary title, with the battalion number as a subtitle. They therefore became ''The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland''.<ref name=bau/>


Prior to amalgamation, the battalion moved to the [[St Barbara Barracks|Bergen-Hohne Garrison]], [[Bad Fallingbostel]] in Germany<ref>{{cite web|url= http://baor-locations.org/StBabsFally.aspx.html |title=St Barbara Barracks| publisher=BAOR Locations| access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref> as part of [[7th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|7 Armoured Brigade]], the descendants of the [[World War II|Second World War]]'s [[Desert Rats]], equipped with the [[Warrior tracked armoured vehicle|Warrior Infantry Vehicle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/26342.aspx|title=4 SCOTS|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> From here they undertook six-month tours of [[Operation Telic|Iraq]] in 2005-06<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Highlander. ''The Regimental Journal of The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordon and Cameron)'', Winter 2005, Volume 11, Number 2.}}</ref> and 2008, and [[Afghanistan]] in April 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12951114|title=Scottish soldiers deploy to Afghanistan| publisher=BBC News, 3 April 2011|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref>
Prior to amalgamation, the battalion moved to the [[St Barbara Barracks|Bergen-Hohne Garrison]], [[Bad Fallingbostel]], in Germany,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://baor-locations.org/StBabsFally.aspx.html |title=St Barbara Barracks| publisher=BAOR Locations| access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref> as part of [[7th Armoured Brigade (United Kingdom)|7 Armoured Brigade]], the descendants of the [[World War II|Second World War]]'s [[Desert Rats]], equipped with the [[Warrior tracked armoured vehicle|Warrior Infantry Vehicle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/26342.aspx|title=4 SCOTS|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref> From here they undertook six-month tours of [[Operation Telic|Iraq]] in 2005–06<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Highlander. ''The Regimental Journal of The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordon and Cameron)'', Winter 2005, Volume 11, Number 2.}}</ref> and 2008, and [[Afghanistan]] in April 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12951114|title=Scottish soldiers deploy to Afghanistan|work=BBC News |date=3 April 2011 |access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref>


In September 2015 the battalion moved from Germany to Bourlon Barracks in [[Catterick Garrison]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forces.tv/85289220|title=Turning Catterick Into A "Super Garrison"|publisher=[[Forces TV]]|access-date=1 September 2015}}</ref> where they became a heavy protected mobility battalion forming part of [[20th Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Infantry Brigade]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf |title=Regular Army Basing Announcement |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=8 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814181412/http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf |archive-date=14 August 2016 }}</ref>
In September 2015 the battalion moved from Germany to Bourlon Barracks in [[Catterick Garrison]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forces.tv/85289220|title=Turning Catterick Into A "Super Garrison"|publisher=[[Forces TV]]|access-date=1 September 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924014532/http://www.forces.tv/85289220|url-status=dead}}</ref> where they became a heavy protected mobility battalion forming part of [[20th Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Armoured Infantry Brigade]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf |title=Regular Army Basing Announcement |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=8 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814181412/http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf |archive-date=14 August 2016 }}</ref>


As a result of [[Army 2020 Refine]] restructure, the battalion joined the Strike Experimentation Group in 2020.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/632554/2017-02130.pdf|title=Information on the Army 2020 refine exercise|publisher=Ministry of Defence (UK)|year=2017|location=Marlborough Lines Andover, Hampshire United Kingdom}}</ref>
As a result of [[Army 2020 Refine]] restructure, the battalion joined the Strike Experimentation Group in 2020.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/632554/2017-02130.pdf|title=Information on the Army 2020 refine exercise|publisher=Ministry of Defence (UK)|year=2017|location=Marlborough Lines Andover, Hampshire United Kingdom}}</ref>


==Uniform and traditions==
==Uniform and traditions==
While the 4 SCOTS now wear the [http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb309/hammersfan_01/Tartans/Sutherland.gif Government 1A pattern tartan], prior to amalgamation in 2006 the regiment wore the [[Clan Gordon|Gordon]] [[tartan]] when in [[kilt]]s and the Seaforth Mackenzie when in [[trews]]. The pipers and drummers continue to wear the regimental [[cap badge]] and kilts in the [[Clan Cameron|Cameron of Erracht]] tartan. The battalion primarily recruits from the [[Hebrides]], the [[Northern Isles]], the mainland counties of [[Inverness-shire]], [[Ross and Cromarty]], [[Sutherland]], [[Caithness]], [[Moray]] and [[County of Nairn|Nairnshire]], and from the traditional Gordon heartlands in [[Aberdeen]] and [[Aberdeenshire]]. The Battalion Headquarters is located at [[Cameron Barracks]] in [[Inverness]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.culture24.org.uk/sc000178|title=Regimental Museum of The Queen's Own Highlanders|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref>
While the 4 SCOTS now wear the [http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb309/hammersfan_01/Tartans/Sutherland.gif Government 1A pattern tartan], prior to amalgamation in 2006 the regiment wore the [[Clan Gordon|Gordon]] [[tartan]] when in [[kilt]]s and the Seaforth Mackenzie when in [[trews]]. The battalion's pipers and drummers wear kilts in the [[Clan Cameron|Cameron of Erracht]] tartan. The battalion recruits from the [[Hebrides]], the [[Northern Isles]], the mainland counties of [[Inverness-shire]], [[Ross and Cromarty]], [[Sutherland]], [[Caithness]], [[Moray]] and [[County of Nairn|Nairnshire]], and from the traditional Gordon heartlands in [[Aberdeen]] and [[Aberdeenshire]]. The Battalion Headquarters is located at [[Cameron Barracks]] in [[Inverness]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.culture24.org.uk/sc000178|title=Regimental Museum of The Queen's Own Highlanders|access-date=25 May 2014}}</ref>


The battalion is the mainstay of the British Army's only [[shinty]] team, [[SCOTS Camanachd|The Scots Shinty Club]]. Due to the 4th Battalion's regular placements abroad, the team only plays in cup matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shinty.com/news/scots-camanachd-armed-forces-shinty-club/|title=SCOTS Camanachd – Armed Forces Shinty Club|access-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110121948/http://www.shinty.com/news/scots-camanachd-armed-forces-shinty-club/|archive-date=10 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The battalion is the mainstay of the British Army's only [[shinty]] team, [[SCOTS Camanachd|The Scots Shinty Club]]. Due to the 4th Battalion's regular placements abroad, the team only plays in cup matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shinty.com/news/scots-camanachd-armed-forces-shinty-club/|title=SCOTS Camanachd – Armed Forces Shinty Club|access-date=25 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110121948/http://www.shinty.com/news/scots-camanachd-armed-forces-shinty-club/|archive-date=10 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Colonel-in-Chief==
==Colonel-in-Chief==
*1994–: F.M. [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]], KG, KT, OM, GBE, AC, QSO
*1994–2021: F.M. [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]]


==Regimental Colonels==
==Regimental Colonels==
Regimental colonels were:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072H%28SGC%29.htm |title=The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) |publisher=Regiments.org |access-date=28 February 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209011139/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072H%28SGC%29.htm |archive-date=9 February 2006 }}</ref>
Regimental colonels were:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072H%28SGC%29.htm |title=The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) |publisher=Regiments.org |access-date=28 February 2017 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209011139/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/072H%28SGC%29.htm |archive-date=9 February 2006 }}</ref>
*1994–2001: Gen. Sir [[Jeremy Mackenzie|John Jeremy George Mackenzie]], KCB, OBE, ADC
*1994–2001: Gen. Sir [[Jeremy Mackenzie|John Jeremy George Mackenzie]]
*2001–2006: Brig. Hugh Brisbane Henry Ewart Monro, MBE
*2001–2006: Brig. Hugh Brisbane Henry Ewart Monro
* ''2006: Regiment amalgamated with [[The Royal Scots]], [[The Royal Highland Fusiliers]], [[The King's Own Scottish Borderers]], [[The Black Watch]] and [[The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]] to form [[The Royal Regiment of Scotland]]''
* ''2006: Regiment amalgamated with The [[Royal Scots]], The [[Royal Highland Fusiliers]], The [[King's Own Scottish Borderers]], The [[Black Watch]] and The [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]] to form The [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]''


== Alliances ==
== Alliances ==
Line 68: Line 69:
*{{CAN}} - [[The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada]]
*{{CAN}} - [[The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada]]
*{{CAN}} - [[The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own)]]
*{{CAN}} - [[The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own)]]
*{{AUS}} - 10th/27th Bn, [[Royal South Australia Regiment]]
*{{AUS}} - 5th/6th Bn, The [[Royal Victoria Regiment]] via [[The Victorian Scottish Regiment]]
*{{AUS}} - 5th/6th Bn, The [[Royal Victoria Regiment]] via [[The Victorian Scottish Regiment]]
*{{AUS}} - [[7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment|7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment]]
*{{AUS}} - [[7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment|7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment]]
Line 74: Line 76:
*{{NZL}} - [[Otago and Southland Regiment|The Otago and Southland Regiment]]
*{{NZL}} - [[Otago and Southland Regiment|The Otago and Southland Regiment]]
*{{NZL}} - [[Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay Regiment|The Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay Regiment]]
*{{NZL}} - [[Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay Regiment|The Wellington (City of Wellington's Own) and Hawke's Bay Regiment]]
*{{RSA}} - [[Cape Town Highlanders Regiment|The Cape Town Highlanders]]
*{{RSA}} - [[Cape Town Highlanders]]
*{{navy|United Kingdom}} - [[HMS Sutherland (F81)|HMS ''Sutherland'']]
*{{navy|United Kingdom}} - [[HMS Sutherland (F81)|HMS ''Sutherland'']]
*{{navy|United Kingdom}} - [[HMS Victorious (S29)|HMS ''Victorious'']]
*{{navy|United Kingdom}} - [[HMS Victorious (S29)|HMS ''Victorious'']]
Line 83: Line 85:
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="4"|'''Lineage'''
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="4"|'''Lineage'''
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan="5" style="width:20%; "| '''The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)
| rowspan="5" style="width:20%; "| '''The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)'''
| rowspan="3" style="width:20%; "| '''The [[Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)]]'''
| rowspan="3" style="width:20%; "| '''The [[Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)]]'''
| colspan="2" style="width:20%; "| '''The [[Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders]]'''
| colspan="2" style="width:20%; "| '''The [[Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders]]'''
Line 98: Line 100:
|-
|-
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}
==See also==

* [[Armed forces in Scotland]]
* [[Military history of Scotland]]


==References==
==References==
Line 104: Line 110:
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/26342.aspx 4 SCOTS] - on the British Army official website
*[http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/26342.aspx 4 SCOTS] - on the British Army official website
*[https://www.thehighlandersmuseum.com/ The Highlanders Museum]
*[http://www.gordonhighlanders.com/ The Gordon Highlanders Museum]
*[http://www.gordonhighlanders.com/ The Gordon Highlanders Museum]


Latest revision as of 21:55, 29 December 2023

Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland
Former cap badge of the Highlanders
Active17 September 1994 – present
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeInfantry
RoleMechanized Infantry
SizeBattalion
743 personnel[1]
Part of20th Armoured Infantry Brigade
Garrison/HQRHQ – Cameron Barracks[2]
Battalion – Catterick Garrison
Motto(s)Cuidich 'n Righ (Help the King)
MarchQuick: Wee Highland Laddie
Insignia
Tactical Recognition Flash
TartanGordon (kilt)
Seaforth Mackenzie (trews)
Cameron of Erracht (pipers and drummers kilts)
HackleBlue
From Queens Own Cameron Highlanders/Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons)

The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS) is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Prior to 28 March 2006, the Highlanders was an infantry regiment in its own right; The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons), part of the Scottish Division. The regiment was one of only two in the British Army with a Gaelic motto – Cuidich 'n Righ which means "Help the King".[3] (The other is the Royal Irish Regiment.)[4]

History[edit]

Members of the battalion on Saddleworth Moor during the 2018 United Kingdom wildfires.

The regiment was formed on 17 September 1994 as part of the Options for Change defence review, by the amalgamation of the Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) and the Gordon Highlanders.[5]

The new regiment undertook a two-year tour of Northern Ireland from April 1995, and were stationed at Ebrington Barracks in County Londonderry. After being based in various locations around the United Kingdom, the battalion was deployed to Bosnia in 2003.[6]

In 2004, as part of the restructuring of the infantry, it was announced that The Highlanders would be amalgamated with the other Scottish infantry regiments into the single large Royal Regiment of Scotland. The amalgamation took place on 28 March 2006. As with the other Scottish regiments, the Highlanders were permitted to retain their former name as the new battalion's primary title, with the battalion number as a subtitle. They therefore became The Highlanders, 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.[5]

Prior to amalgamation, the battalion moved to the Bergen-Hohne Garrison, Bad Fallingbostel, in Germany,[7] as part of 7 Armoured Brigade, the descendants of the Second World War's Desert Rats, equipped with the Warrior Infantry Vehicle.[8] From here they undertook six-month tours of Iraq in 2005–06[9] and 2008, and Afghanistan in April 2011.[10]

In September 2015 the battalion moved from Germany to Bourlon Barracks in Catterick Garrison,[11] where they became a heavy protected mobility battalion forming part of 20th Armoured Infantry Brigade.[12]

As a result of Army 2020 Refine restructure, the battalion joined the Strike Experimentation Group in 2020.[13]

Uniform and traditions[edit]

While the 4 SCOTS now wear the Government 1A pattern tartan, prior to amalgamation in 2006 the regiment wore the Gordon tartan when in kilts and the Seaforth Mackenzie when in trews. The battalion's pipers and drummers wear kilts in the Cameron of Erracht tartan. The battalion recruits from the Hebrides, the Northern Isles, the mainland counties of Inverness-shire, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland, Caithness, Moray and Nairnshire, and from the traditional Gordon heartlands in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The Battalion Headquarters is located at Cameron Barracks in Inverness.[14]

The battalion is the mainstay of the British Army's only shinty team, The Scots Shinty Club. Due to the 4th Battalion's regular placements abroad, the team only plays in cup matches.[15]

Colonel-in-Chief[edit]

Regimental Colonels[edit]

Regimental colonels were:[16]

Alliances[edit]

Lineage[edit]

Lineage
The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) The Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforth and Camerons) The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
The Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, The Duke of Albany's) The 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own) Highlanders
The 78th Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs)
The Gordon Highlanders The 75th (Stirlingshire) Regiment of Foot
The 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Army – Question for Ministry of Defence". p. 1. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Contacts for Queen's Own Highlanders". Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  3. ^ Queen's Own Highlanders: A Short History. p. 6. Regimental H.Q., QO Hldrs.
  4. ^ "A Tradition is Born - the Origin of the motto 'Faugh a Ballagh' and the Royal Irish Green Hackle". Royal Irish. Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)". British Army units 1945 on. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  6. ^ The Highlander. The Regimental Journal of The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordon and Cameron), Winter 2003, Volume 9, Number 2.
  7. ^ "St Barbara Barracks". BAOR Locations. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  8. ^ "4 SCOTS". Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  9. ^ The Highlander. The Regimental Journal of The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordon and Cameron), Winter 2005, Volume 11, Number 2.
  10. ^ "Scottish soldiers deploy to Afghanistan". BBC News. 3 April 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  11. ^ "Turning Catterick Into A "Super Garrison"". Forces TV. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  12. ^ "Regular Army Basing Announcement" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 August 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  13. ^ Information on the Army 2020 refine exercise (PDF). Marlborough Lines Andover, Hampshire United Kingdom: Ministry of Defence (UK). 2017.
  14. ^ "Regimental Museum of The Queen's Own Highlanders". Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  15. ^ "SCOTS Camanachd – Armed Forces Shinty Club". Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  16. ^ "The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 9 February 2006. Retrieved 28 February 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Highlanders_(Seaforth,_Gordons_and_Camerons)&oldid=1192530177"