By Dave Lord

THOSE DETERMINED to save The Black Watch have a fight on their hands, but a fight that can be won, it was said yesterday.

One Scottish regiment is likely to face the chop while others are set to be amalgamated under plans unveiled last week. But any threat to the Perth-based Black Watch has seen a defiant response from members of the public and politicians alike.

As The Courier campaign to save the regiment gathers pace, Perth’s Black Watch monument on the North Inch was the focal point for SNP politicians.

They have pledged to fight tooth and nail against armed forces cuts, insisting they would constitute an unacceptable “stab in the back”.

They also spoke of the historic importance of the local regiment.

“The people of Perth are appalled at the threat to The Black Watch,” said MSP Roseanna Cunningham. “Perthshire and The Black Watch have a long and distinguished shared history and there is scarcely a family in the area without some connection to the regiment.

“This government seems to have no respect at all for centuries of Scottish tradition—that all those years of tradition can be so callously disregarded is a scandal,” she continued.

“Apart from the impact on morale in the regiment, morale among the families must also be affected.”

The MSP said she was disgusted by the timing of the defence cuts.

“Astonishingly, this threat comes a scant few weeks after the regiment was rightly praised for its work in Iraq,” Ms Cunningham said.

“It seems amazing that even in the midst of the crisis in the Gulf, this government would consider taking an axe to the armed services in Scotland. The Government must be made to think again,” she added.

Ms Cunningham, Perth MP Annabelle Ewing, North Tayside MP Pete Wishart, and the leader of the SNP group in Westminster, Alex Salmond, all took time out to sign both a local petition to save The Black Watch and a national petition aimed at safeguarding the future existence of all Scotland’s regiments.

“My SNP colleagues in Westminster, Pete Wishart and Annabelle Ewing, have really brought this issue to the forefront of political debate in the House of Commons,” said Mr Salmond.

“They have fought for The Black Watch at every opportunity, quizzing ministers in the Chamber from the Prime Minister down.

“We do have a fight on our hands to save the regiments but the people of Perthshire and The Black Watch have strong campaigners working for them in Annabelle and Pete.

“Scotland’s regiments have provided the backbone to the army for generations,” he continued.

“Their skills, expertise and professionalism are second to none. In these days of global instability and insecurity, the skills they have developed in a range of environments across the globe are needed as never before.

“It defies belief that as Scotland’s regiments are fighting Blair’s wars for him overseas, he is prepared to stab them in the back at home,” Mr Salmond added.

Ms Ewing also questioned the timing of the Government’s announcement.

“The Black Watch is a credit to the army and the people of Perthshire whom it has served so well for hundreds of years,” she said.

“The professionalism with which they serve across the world is an example to all and makes the decision to consider disbanding the regiment all the more ludicrous.

“The Government has consistently refused to stand up for The Black Watch even as they undertake a second tour of duty in Iraq.

“They are fighting Blair’s war as he betrays them,” Ms Ewing added.

Mr Wishart added his concerns and said the armed forces could expect to face a recruitment crisis if The Black Watch is scrapped.

“The Black Watch is tied closely to the local area,” he said.

“Scrapping the close ties that exist between The Black Watch and the local communities will threaten the regiment’s strong recruitment record. Saving the regiment would be good for the army, good for the local communities and good for Scotland.

“We will continue to pressure the government to see sense and retain The Black Watch and Scotland’s other historic regiments,” Mr Wishart concluded.

* The civic head of Angus yesterday joined the swelling ranks of those fighting to save The Black Watch from the axe.

Angus Provost Bill Middleton said preserving the history and traditions of the Scottish regiment was vital not only for the country they serve, but also for the area from which they draw recruits.

Rumours suggest The Black Watch will cease to exist when the Scottish regiment system is re-organised, with one regiment disbanded and others amalgamated.

Provost Middleton said he believed no announcements should have been made unless a final decision had been reached. “All they have done now is cause uncertainty and low morale among the troops—particularly at a time when they are engaged in a situation in Iraq,” he said.

“There is a great feeling of pride in the regiment locally. It would be foolish to consign pride to history.

“We must build on the reputation of our proud traditions, not dispose of them, and I think there exists a very strong feeling of affection for The Black Watch throughout Tayside.”

He said local MSPs and MPs were continuing to fight for the retention of the regiment. “They are dealing with it at the highest level.

“I don’t know if there will be any moves to bring forward motions to council, but I know there will be a strong feeling among members.”