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Black Watch Museum earns duke’s official support

The Duke of Rothesay meeting soldiers at Balhousie Castle.
The Duke of Rothesay meeting soldiers at Balhousie Castle.

One of Perth’s top attractions has been given a royal seal of approval.

Prince Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, officially unveiled the £3 million extension of The Black Watch Museum on Tuesday.

Upon arriving at Balhousie Castle, he was serenaded by three pipers and led into the grounds via the Earl Wavell memorial gate.

Before starting his tour, the duke met a group of youngsters from ABC Day Nursery.

Unfortunately, the children were a little disappointed when they realised he had not taken his grandson along with him.

Nonetheless, four-year-old Elena Sanderson was still happy to hand over a card for Prince George, who celebrated his first birthday this week.

Deputy manager Julie Clark said: “They were expecting to see him today.

“They got very excited when they saw a wee baby and they all thought it was Prince George and he’d come over to play with them.

“It’s been a very big day for them.”

The duke was then formally welcomed by the chairman of the trustees of The Black Watch Museum Trust, Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin, before being led on a tour of the newly-transformed attraction.

Prince Charles has close ties to the regimental museum, as he is the last Colonel-in-Chief of The Black Watch and was patron of the Heritage Appeal.

The extensive collection also contains artefacts that belonged to his Bowes-Lyon relatives, who served during the First World War.

Major Ronnie Proctor, secretary of The Black Watch Association, welcomed their royal visitor, saying: “It’s great that he has managed to make it up here.

“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work and it’s a great achievement for everyone in the regimental family.”

Meanwhile, the duke was not the only person enjoying his first visit to the museum since the relaunch.

Dr Tom Renouf, who served with the regiment during the Second World War and was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry at the Rhine, also made it along to see the transformation.

“I think it’s wonderful,” he said. “He has come along today and has added something very graceful to a wonderful occasion.”

Following his guided tour around the castle, the duke unveiled a plaque at the entrance marking his visit, before planting a tree in the grounds to commemorate 100 years since the First World War began.

He was also presented with a unique gift by a trio of talented pipers, all of whom are either current or former Pipe Majors of the regiment.

Major Stevie Small was joined by Pipe Majors Alistair Duthie and Scott Taylor to perform a tune called The Duke of Rothesay, composed especially for him.

It is included in a book of piping songs collated by the three musicians and which features more than 250 compositions with links to The Black Watch and dating from centuries ago to the present day.

They handed over a copy to the duke before giving him a taster of what is inside and piping him to his waiting car.