News story

Inverness welcomes Scots Guards home

The 1st Battalion Scots Guards (1SG) paraded in Inverness today, Thursday 30 May, to mark their return from a 6-month tour in Afghanistan.

• From: Ministry of Defence
• Published: 30 May 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The 1st Battalion Scots Guards march through Inverness

The Battalion spent their tour in the Upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand province.

Lieutenant Colonel Rob Howieson, Commanding Officer 1SG, said:

It is a great honour to be marching through the streets of Inverness today. The Guardsmen are very proud of their work and they are humbled to be able to parade in front of the people of Inverness.

The Battalion has had a challenging 6 months in Afghanistan and today’s parade recognises its achievements. It also gives their friends and families an opportunity to celebrate their safe return and accomplishments of the last few months.

We are extremely grateful for the support we received from the local community all through the tour,” he continued.

Each week we would receive a helicopter-load of letters and parcels from well-wishers across Scotland. We were sent everything from woolly hats to chocolate and board games. It was very touching that we were being thought about at a time we were so far from our homes.

Soldiers of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards march through Inverness [Picture: Mark Owens, Crown copyright]

Provost of Inverness, Councillor Alex Graham, said:

It is an immense privilege to take the salute from the 1st Battalion Scots Guards on their return from Afghanistan.

On behalf of The Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee and our community I am delighted that we have been able to show a small token of our appreciation to the Guardsmen for their latest tour of duty by hosting a civic reception for them at Inverness Town House.

Councillor Carolyn Caddick added:

As The Highland Council Armed Forces and Veterans Champion, it is an honour to welcome the Scots Guards back to the Highlands and great to see them marching proudly through our streets.

The people of the Highlands are very supportive of the Armed Forces in general and this is a great opportunity to demonstrate this publicly.

The 1st Battalion Scots Guards will continue to celebrate their homecoming to Scotland with parades in Edinburgh tomorrow, 31 May, and Glasgow on Saturday, 1 June.

Published 30 May 2013