Army bosses have declared Scottish battalions will not be axed amid ongoing concerns for the future of the historic Black Watch.
Fears for 3 Scots, formerly the Black Watch before it was amalgamated into the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006, along with the Highlanders and Royal Highland Fusiliers, were raised after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) failed to rule out cutting battalions.
The move was said to be under consideration as part of the implications of moving to a one-year spending review.
It followed reports in The Sun,that Britain can no longer justify a total of 30 infantry battalions and that the Scottish units had struggled to fill their ranks.
As veterans and cross-party politicians leapt to the defence of the Black Watch, The Army in Scotland posted on social media that no such cuts would be taking place.
Black Watch: ‘Tragedy’ if Army battalion disbanded, says Fife chairman of Black Watch Association
A spokesperson said: “The Army in Scotland is always recruiting.
“Many hundreds of new soldiers joined this year.
“Our great infantry battalions in the Royal Regiment of Scotland are serving our country at home and abroad.
“There are no plans to cut these historic units, contrary to some reports.”
Despite the announcement, the MoD again refused to rule out cuts on Tuesday evening, stating it did not comment on leaks.
The Army in Scotland is always recruiting. Many hundreds of new soldiers joined this year. Our great infantry battalions in the Royal Regiment of Scotland are serving our country at home and abroad. There are no plans to cut these historic units, contrary to some reports. pic.twitter.com/HAFiiQZWNC
— The Army in Scotland (@ArmyScotland) November 17, 2020
An MoD spokesperson said: “This Government has committed to grow defence spending. In light of the decision to move to a one year spending review, we are considering the implications for the completion of the integrated review, and will provide an update in due course.”
Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart said people wanted clarity and reassurances that the Black Watch would be saved.
He said: “I am pleased to see the Army in Scotland confirming on their Twitter account that there are no plans to cut any of Scotland’s historic battalions, however it would be further reassurance to hear this from the MOD and from UK Ministers.
“The public response to the news that further cuts could be on the horizon has been extremely damning.
“It is clear that people value the unique history of the Black Watch and I am seeking further clarity that its future is safe.”
West Aberdeenshire Conservative MP, Andrew Bowie, urged his colleagues in the UK Government to think very carefully before proceeding with such a cost-cutting measure.
He said: “The army must adapt, to evolve to face the pressures and challenges of the mid-21st Century.
“But we lose more than a name when we lose a regiment or a battalion — we lose a part of who we are as a region, as a nation.
“The British Army is the best army in the world. It has no parallel.
“It is so for many reasons, but not least because of its links to regions and communities across the country made possible because of the local links through regiments and battalions, bringing their own identity and history to a greater whole. We lose this at our peril.”
