Royal Regiment of Scotland receive the freedom of North Lanarkshire

Hundreds of people lined the streets in Motherwell on Saturday as the Royal Regiment of Scotland received the Freedom of North Lanarkshire.

The regiment marched through the town with bayonets fixed and colours flying, led by the sound of the pipes and drums.

The parade was in recognition of their outstanding service to their country and the local area.

It featured soldiers from 2nd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS), accompanied by the 2 SCOTS Pipes and Drums. They were accompanied by Corporal Cruachan IV, their Shetland Pony regimental mascot.

Residents and visitors lined the route to show their appreciation for the regiment, as they marched from Dalziel High School down Hamilton Road to Strathclyde Park Watersports Centre.

A formal civic recognition ceremony was hosted by Kenneth Duffy, Provost of North Lanarkshire and Lady Susan Haughey, Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire.

The historical links between North Lanarkshire and the regiment can be traced back to 1678 through the Royal Scots Fusiliers.

The Royal Scots Fusiliers traditionally recruited from the area of North Lanarkshire and continued to do so upon their amalgamation with the Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow regiment) to form the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

Upon formation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006 the 2nd Battalion (2 SCOTS) were formed from the Royal Highland Fusiliers, and maintain the golden thread to the antecedent regiments, they observe the traditions of Fusiliers and links with the central belt of Scotland to this day.

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.