Troops from the Highland Gunners marched through the streets of Inverness yesterday as part of a series of events to mark the 300th anniversary of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.
Members of the 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, known as the Highland Gunners until 2012 when they became the Scottish Gunners, took part in the procession from Glebe Street to Inverness Castle.
Among the group was the first female soldier and youngest person in the British Army to qualify as Pipe Major.
Lance Bombardier Megan Beveridge, 21, originally from Inverkeithing in Fife, led the pipes and drums during the parade.
She started playing in Inverkeithing Pipe Band when she was just nine years old and, on completion of her training at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate in 2011, requested to join the Highland Gunners.
The troops assembled at Glebe Street before marching down Academy Street, the High Street, Bridge Street and Castle Road.
Culloden and Ardersier councillor Roddy Balfour, a member of Queen’s Own Highlanders Regimental Association and Highland Military Tattoo committee, then took the salute of the regiment at the castle, before a reception was held at the Town House.
The march was held as the Royal Regiment prepares to celebrate its 300th anniversary on May 26.
The tercentenary celebrations, known as “UBIQUE 300” after its Latin motto, involve 22 regiments, and more than 1,000 people in 30 countries.
A series of events to mark the milestone has included a “west to east circumnavigation of the globe”.
A baton, designed to represent its 300 year history, is being carried around the world, commencing at its birth place in Woolwich in the middle of last year, and finishing at the regimental home in Larkhill.
The baton will be presented to the Captain General on the anniversary.
The regiment traditionally recruited from the Highlands, although in 2012 its name was changed to the Scottish Gunners after the axing of the 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, known as the Lowland Gunners.
