The men and women of the 51st Highland, 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 SCOTS), strode proudly before the people of Perth on Saturday having been awarded the freedom of the city.
Hundreds lined the streets to honour the Territorial Army soldiers and applaud their courageous service in combat operations such as that in Afghanistan.
The centre of Perth reverberated to the sound of the military and pipe bands as the TA and regular soldiers made their way from the North Inch to the City Hall, led by regimental mascot Cruachan.
The freedom of the city was granted by Perth and Kinross Provost John Hulbert and council chief executive Bernadette Malone, who together presented the ceremonial freedom scroll to Brigadier Charles Grant, representative colonel of 7 SCOTS.
In receiving the honour, the 7 SCOTS followed in the footsteps of The Black Watch, which received the same honour in 1947.
As the TA Infantry Battalion for the north of Scotland, 7 SCOTS has detachments in a number of towns and cities, but its headquarters are in Perth and it has long had close ties to the area.
The ceremony gave the people of Perth the opportunity to come out in force to show their respect and admiration.
Dr Hulbert said he hoped the granting of the freedom would “generate a great deal of pride in the hearts of all the citizens of Perth.”
“The only certainties in a time of change are the local ones.Mutual respect”Among those are the mutual respect and loyalty that exists between the citizens of Perth and Kinross, and of Scotland, and the soldiers whom we send to war on our behalf.”
A host of dignitaries, including senior officers, retired soldiers, politicians and councillors, made their way to the viewing platform on Tay Street, led by the High Constables of Perth and 15-year-old Black Watch Army Cadet Megan Beveridge from Rosyth.
The Dunfermline High pupil had the proud duty of leading the pipes for the first time.
They were soon joined by 7 SCOTS, who exercised their right to march from the ceremony before the City Hall “with bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying” and took the salute from Brigadier Mel Jamieson, lord lieutenant of Perth and Kinross.
The parade then made its way back to the North Inch, where a full afternoon of celebrations began with the presentation of Afghanistan campaign medals to 16 members of the battalion.
There was also a special long service and good conduct medal presented to a surprised Regimental Sergeant Major Dave Yarrick.
Following the presentations, the North Inch became the venue for a highland games, with the 7 SCOTS swapping uniforms for sports gear as they organised and participated in a series of traditional events.
The day finally drew to a close with the Beating of the Retreat at Perth Concert Hall.