THE BLACK Watch is still identifiable and lives on, despite being merged with other regiments into Scotland’s major fighting unit.

That was the message yesterday from Major John Holman as four Fife recruits joined the famous regiment, which is now the 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The new recruits were paraded at Balhousie Castle, Perth, the ancestral home of The Black Watch.

Tayside has traditionally been a strong hunting ground for youngsters keen to join the army, and Major Holman, the army’s east of Scotland recruiting officer, said this has remained despite recent losses in Iraq.

“Iraq has definitely had an affect on recruiting but with these four youngsters joining us, it shows there is still a family interest in The Black Watch in Tayside,” he told The Courier. “There is still interest from youngsters who want to make the army their career.”

Craig McGillvary (21) of Inverkeithing, Michael Courts (17) of Lochgelly, John Falconer (18) of Buckhaven, and Christopher Hamilton (17) of Kirkcaldy, will all travel to Catterick Barracks to undergo six months’ training before being posted to Fort George in the Highlands.

Major Holman, who served in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Turkey, Germany and Norway, said that the history of The Black Watch will live on.

“The Black Watch is still identifiable and we still wear the Red Hackle when we are on combat duties,” he said. “These four lads have gone through the selection process, which is still quite involved. They will then have their six months training at Catterick which will set them up for their posting.”

Despite the Saltire flying at half-mast at Balhousie Castle in honour of the recent deaths suffered by The Black Watch in Iraq, the four Fife recruits are keen to join the Army.

Craig said, “I’m prepared for the training and looking forward to it. We will pass out in January and then go to Fort George, so we will be ready for anything then.”

Michael added, “Joining The Black Watch is something I’ve always wanted to do. The training will be hard but I’ve been doing a lot of exercise myself.

“I do contact sports and quite a lot of running, which should stand me in good stead.”