The Royal Scots (1st)

Motto
Nemo me impune lacessit “Nobody harms me with impunity”

Recruiting Area
Edinburgh, the Lothians and Tweedale.

Summary
The Royal Scots was the oldest, and therefore most senior, infantry regiment of the British Army. Raised in 1633 by John Hepburn, the regiment has a long and proud history, present at major battles across all corners of the globe since the mid-seventeenth century.

Known as ‘Pontius Pilate’s Bodyguards’, this peculiar nickname originated from a 17th century boasting contest with the French Regiment of Picardy, who boasted that prior to the resurrection, Christ’s tomb was guarded by the French regiment. The Royal Scots headquarters is based at Edinburgh Castle, where an independent museum exists. The regiment was amalgamated with The King’s Own Scottish Borderers in 2006 under British Army defence reviews.

Victoria Cross Winners

  • Private J. Prosser, 2nd Bn The Royal Scots, 1855. Crimea
  • Private H. H. Robson, 2nd Bn The Royal Scots, 1914. Belgium
  • Private R. Dunsire, 13th Bn The Royal Scots, 1915. France
  • Capt. H. Reynolds, 12th Bn The Royal Scots, 1917. Belgium
  • Lt D.S. McGregor, 6th Bn The Royal Scots, 1918. Belgium
  • Cpl R.E. Elcock, 11th Bn The Royal Scots, 1918. France
  • Private H. McIver, 2nd Bn The Royal Scots, 1918. France

Regimental Pipe Music
March Past in Quick Time:
Dumbarton’s Drums

March Past in Slow Time:
The Garb of the Old Gaul

The Charge:
Monymusk

March on with the Band:
Scotland the Brave

Company March:
A Company – The Barren Rocks of Aden
B Company – Marie’s Wedding
C Company – The Black Bear
D Company – The Liberation polka
HQ Company – The Steamboat

Allied and Affiliated Regiments
100th Princess Mary’s Own Ghurka Rifles

Canada:
The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s)
The Royal Newfoundland Regiment