Scottish History
The History of The Royal Scots
The Regimental Museum in Edinburgh Castle
The Royal Scots
The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) was the oldest Regiment in the British Army and was the senior Infantry Regiment of the Line. It was raised in 1633 when Sir John Hepburn, under a Royal Warrant from King Charles I, recruited 1200 men in Scotland. The first battle honour awarded to the Regiment was Tangier 1680, since when a further 148 have been gained in a history which has involved them in almost every campaign the British Army has fought; the last being the Gulf 1991. The Royal Scots is now merged with the 14 other surviving Scottish Infantry Regiments to form The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The Royal Scots Regimental Museum
Entrance to the Museum at The Castle, Edinburgh.
The Museum is situated in Edinburgh Castle.
The Museum is a private one and is financially dependent on voluntary contributions. Admission is free and all visitors are welcome.
It was opened by The Colonel in Chief, H.R.H. The Princess Royal, on 27th June, 1991. The story of the Regiment is explained in chronological order on pictorial wall panels supported by maps, display cases, tableaux and dioramas. The medal collection is too large to be openly displayed and therefore only a selection is on view. The remainder is mounted in drawers which can be opened on request. Also to be seen are collections of silver, sets of drums and old colours. Other interesting features of the Museum are the descriptions given of contemporary life in the Army and the overhead panels which show significant national and world events of the relevant period.
On entering the Museum after being introduced to the Regiment by a modern piper, the visitor is immediately taken back over three hundred years to the raising of the Regiment by Sir John Hepburn in 1633. There follows an account of the Regiment's activities up the present day.
Opening times:
The Regimental Museum is open within Edinburgh Castle from:
Monday to Friday 9.30 a.m. to 3.40 p.m. every day.
(Times may be changed without notice).
Admission is free but voluntary donations are welcome.
Admission to the castle: http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/
Other links:
The Royal Regiment of Scotland
Accommodation at The Royal Scots Club
About Scotland
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