London Scottish Regiment - Territorial Army

The London Scottish Regiment (LSR) was formed in 1859 in response to sabre-rattling overseas. Major Stuart Young, the Regimental Secretary, represents the Regimental Trust, Pipes and Drums and many other Regimental Associations.

The Regiment moved from Buckingham Gate to its present home in Horseferry Road in 1988 and was originally part of the 51st Highland Volunteers until 1992. Formerly a Regiment, it is no longer part of the Highland Division;it is now part of the London Regiment. It has one Battalion in peacetime, three in wartime and volunteers have seen active service in the Falklands, Bosnia, Basra and Afghanistan.

The Pipes and Drums of the London Scottish have a range of individual pipers of all types and have done such diverse work as backing the Manic Street Preachers at the NME Music Awards to Beating the Retreat at Horseguards Parade.

The London Scottish Regiment major annual social event is the Halloween Dinner. The Headquarters of the London Scottish Regiment is becoming a centre for Scots in London and is available for hire. The hall will be holding the next National Trust for Scotland Christmas Fair Bonanza in November.

Soldiers in today's London Scottish still wear their distinctive kilted uniform when in ceremonial dress, but when undertaking their training or operational duties they wear the same Combat Soldier 1995 (CS95) camouflaged uniform as the rest of the army. However, instead of a beret, a Tam O'Shanter (TOS) is worn and the soldiers are proud to that it carries one of only seven cap-badges still in service from the 1914-18 Great War. The London Scottish now forms A (The London Scottish) Company of The London Regiment, with sister companies formed from the Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment [B (Queen's Regiment) Company], the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers [C (City of London Fusiliers) Company] and the London Irish [D (London Irish Rifles) Company]. HQ (Anzio) Company is multi-cap-badged. The London Regiment was formed on the merger of 8th Bn Queen's Fusiliers, the London Irish and the London Scottish following the "Options for Change" review of the Army. Formation was on 20th April 1993. Between 1st April 1999 and 12th May 2006, the London Regiment gained two Companies of Royal Green Jackets on the disbandment of 4th Bn RGJ, which formed F and G Companies. Although most TA training is Company based, there is much cross-support between the Companies and several Battalion training exercises a year. The London Regiment has, since 12th May 2006, moved from the Queen's Division to become part of the Household Division. It is now the TA support battalion for the five regiments of Foot Guards, the first time the Guards have had an associated TA element. Within this unique arrangement, the London Scottish Company is paired with the Scots Guards, from which its Senior Permanent Staff Instructor (SPSI) and Mortars Permanent Staff Instructor (Mortar PSI) are now drawn. F Coy Scots Guards is the ceremonial Company stationed in London, but the operational Scots Guards battalion is based in Germany. It is an armoured infantry unit, equipped with Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles and it is anticipated that in future years the London Scottish can look forward to training with them in Germany. The TA in general has played a crucial role in supporting the Regular Army deployed on operations. The London Scottish has responded well to the challenges: The London Regiment was tasked to provide a formed Company Group for both Op TELIC 3 and Op TELIC 4. Thus Cambrai Company deployed to Iraq from January to May 2004 and Messines Company deployed from May to November 2004. The London Scottish provided over half of the London Irish/London Scottish Platoon of Cambrai Company, along with the Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant, and the Company Quarter-Master Sergeant (CQMS). For Messines Company, the London Scottish provided about half of the combined London Irish/PWRR/Fusiliers/London Scottish Platoon, along with the Platoon Commander, and the Company Commander (OC) and Company Sergeant-Major (CSM). For Op HERRICK 7, the London Regiment was again tasked to provide a formed Company Group and the London Scottish has provided 27 personnel to Somme Company - a Platoon's worth. However, they are spread evenly throughout the Company, not all together in one Platoon, and include the key personalities of Company 2i/c, CQMS and Intelligence Warrant Officer. Somme Company deployed in stages during March and April 2007 and is expected back in the UK in October 2007. Meanwhile, TA life continues as ever - commitment is an important part of the responsibility of joining the TA, and soldiers are expected to attend the weekly Training Night, from six to twelve weekends a year and the two-week long Annual Training Period ("Annual Camp"). Everyone understands the need to juggle domestic, work and military commitments and allowances are made where necessary and where the soldier concerned has made the effort to keep his commanders (line managers) informed. The rules are a little different for recruits and the details of recruit training are elsewhere on this website. In short, being a TA soldier is not easy and should be undertaken lightly. Winston Churchill referred to us as being "twice a citizen" - squeezing two jobs, two lives into the space in which others barely have time for one. The rewards for your commitment are, however, huge. The London Scottish offers many opportunities to get involved in a variety of activities. A range of skills are learned and practised in the TA Centre classroom and in the field on exercise, so that they become second nature and are a routine part of life as a TA soldier - operating the army's most advanced weaponry, Battlefield Casualty Drills Training (ie first aid) (BCDT), map reading, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence techniques (CBRN). An infantry unit also needs drivers, storemen, signallers, medics, military clerks, and chefs and opportunities to train in these roles as well as or instead of infantry training. The London Scottish Company also provides the London Regiment with its Mortar Platoon, which is based at the outlying location at Hudson House TA Centre in Catford (Bellingham), south-east London. Riflemen can apply to be posted to the Mortar Platoon and undertake a range of advanced training for a variety of roles in the Platoon. It's not just "army stuff" either. Soldiers develop leadership skills and team-building with people who will become your friends for life, as well as keeping fit, taking part in adventure training and team sports. There is a thriving Regimental rugby club, details of which are elsewhere on this website. The London Scottish Regimental Headquarters in Westminster offers excellent facilities, including a subsidised bar. Relaxing with mates after a tough training session is all part of being in the London Scottish! Members of the London Scottish have a choice of a central London or a South-East London TA Centre to parade at. The highlights of the year for serving TA soldiers in the London Scottish are the Hallowe'en Dinner, the Lord Mayor's Parade and Church Parade, which are all ceremonial occasions giving cause to wear the kilt. For those not accustomed to this article of clothing, its unfailing ability to draw the admiring glances of women of all ages and the envy of other men will quickly become appreciated: There is nothing quite like a kilted warrior!

Strike Sure