YOUNG PEOPLE participating in the award-winning Black Watch Army Cadet Outreach project had the honour of hosting a royal visit yesterday.

Balhousie Castle in Perth was the venue for the visit by Prince Edward to see how the famous regiment works with youngsters in Perthshire.

On arrival to Balhousie, the Earl of Wessex was welcomed by a party of people involved in The Black Watch, including Dundee Lord Provost John Letford and Colonel Martin Passmore, commandant of the Army Cadet Force.

The prince was given a tour of the museum, which saw him being shown the chief’s room, dedicated to his grandmother, the late Queen Mother.

He was also able to learn more about regiment’s long and illustrious history.

The royal connections with The Black Watch are strong—the Queen Mother served as colonel-in-chief, a role later taken on by Prince Charles, who is also the official patron of the £3.2 million appeal to buy and redevelop the castle.

Prince Edward was then taken out to the grounds and visited the various stands that were being attended by pupils from Coupar Angus, Rattray and Alyth primary schools.

Lifelong learning convener for Perth and Kinross Council, Councillor Liz Grant was on hand to assist the children as part of her role in the project.

Cadet Cameron McCaig (13) was helping to lead the team of children learning about camp craft, and had been pulled off a 24-hour team exercise especially for the visit.

He said, “It was good to speak to Prince Edward about how the Outreach project works, as it’s all about team work and citizenship.”

The royal party then moved on to the military heritage stand, manned by museum curator Major Ronnie Proctor.

Several of the children from the Outreach project were dressed in uniform from days gone by, and Prince Edward showed a lot of interest in the history of the regiment.

“It’s great that he has come here and has actually shown an interest in what’s going on,” said Major Proctor.

The final part of the visit saw the prince watch a drill display by army cadets from The Black Watch Battalion Army Cadet 4 star cadre group.

The cadets were drawn from the Blairgowrie, Crieff, St Andrews, Dunfermline and Glenrothes detachments who are attending the spring camp at Barry Buddon.

Before leaving the castle, Prince Edward was presented with his very own Outreach polo shirt by Cadet Nathan Dunn.

The prince then received a special farewell as the primary school children lined the drive to cheer him

Commander of 51 Scottish Brigade, Brigadier David Allfrey, was “delighted” with the event, and to receive support from the Earl of Wessex.

“There were some wonderful, wonderful young people who got on with each other and with the teachers present,” he said.

Following the Balhousie Castle visit the prince went on to Strathallan School, Forgandenny, to meet members of the National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland during rehearsals for their evening performance in Perth Concert Hall.

He also popped into the local voluntary sector hub, The Gateway, in North Methven Street, to learn more about its work.

Hosted by Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service (PKAVS), the visit saw the prince meeting representatives from the Young Carers Project, The Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre, and the PKAVS fund-raising team.

The visit culminated in tea and cakes with elderly service users and invited guests at The Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre’s Day Club.