Alex Salmond says the loss of The Black Watch would be a ”calamity” for Scotland.
The First Minister launched a fierce attack on the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition as the potential threat to the battalion was raised at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.
The Courier revealed that The Black Watch could be merged with The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as part of UK Government budget cuts, and during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood Mr Salmond condemned Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson over the issue.
”The real calamities happening in Scotland are things like our regimental traditions being traduced by the Conservative Party despite the commitments made by her predecessors,” he said.
”Previous Conservative Party leaders promised that the regiments would be maintained, now not even the cap badge are being maintained.”
Ms Davidson has pledged to raise the issue with UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Mr Salmond also complained that SNP minister Bruce Crawford is still waiting for a response from the UK Government on the plans, despite seeking clarity in a letter on March 2.
The UK Government said it was too early to discuss the detail but that Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey would respond in due course, Mr Salmond told MSPs.
But with no explanation yet received, Mr Salmond said the Scottish Government is being treated with ”arrogance”.
He said: ”When things are splashed all over the papers, we’re still awaiting Nick Harvey’s letter telling us what the plans are.”
Mr Salmond said the UK Government had ”underestimated” the tradition and sentiment around the historic regiments.
He added: ”They’ll face opposition to their plans as the Labour Party did some years ago.”
Meanwhile, Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart said he would seek a Westminster debate on the future of Scottish recruited units.
And Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary Jim Murphy said: ”This government knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing. The Government must respect history and geographical ties when making important decisions on army restructuring.”