New Governor of Edinburgh Castle welcomed to role in traditional ceremony
A ceremony to mark the installation of the new Governor of Edinburgh Castle has taken place at the historic landmark.
Major General Bob Bruce, a former commanding officer of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was welcomed to the role with a parade on the Castle Esplanade.
The role of the Governor of Edinburgh Castle dates to medieval times, with the Governor acting as the physical link between the historic site and Scottish soldiers serving in the Army across the country.
Maj Gen Bruce said: "It is a great honour for me to be installed as Governor of Edinburgh Castle.
"To occupy this post is to embrace a tremendous legacy and responsibility.
"The castle is a symbol of the connection between the Army and our country. To serve as Governor is to serve that story."
A guard of honour from the Royal Regiment of Scotland's Balaklava Company (5 Scots) and the Grenadier Guards lined up outside the castle gates with the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland providing music in a ceremony steeped in heritage.
The installation ceremony was conducted by Lord Lyon King of Arms on behalf of His Majesty The King.
Officer Commanding 5 Scots, Major Neil Cargill, took part in the parade as Falkland Pursuivant Extraordinary, one of His Majesty The King's Officer of Arms.
He is the first British Army Officer to serve as an Officer of Arms in Lord Lyon's Court.
Major Cargill said: "It is a tremendous privilege to be on parade as an Officer of Arms, in front of Scotland's most iconic landmark – Edinburgh Castle.
"The honour was made possible due to BKA Coy only being required to turn out a half-company, which was ably commanded by my company second in command, a fitting and special duty before he departs BKA Coy.
"The other half-company was provided from the Grenadier Guards, further adding to this wonderful spectacle, rich in pageantry and tradition."
"It is a tremendous privilege to be on parade as an Officer of Arms, in front of Scotland’s most iconic landmark – Edinburgh Castle.
"The honour was made possible due to BKA Coy only being required to turn out a half-company which was ably commanded by my company second in command, a fitting and special duty before he departs BKA Coy.
"The other half-company was provided from the Grenadier Guards, further adding to this wonderful spectacle, rich in pageantry and tradition."
Maj Gen Bruce originally commissioned into The Royal Scots in August 1987 and spent the early part of his service in Germany and Scotland and on operations in Northern Ireland and the Gulf.
He has served in Iraq, commanded 4th Mechanised Brigade, which included a tour in Afghanistan, and then he was deputy commander of an American-led multinational task force in the Middle East.
He has also completed tours in the MOD and Army Headquarters in the UK, and in the Pentagon in the United States.
For his leadership on operations, Maj Gen Bruce was awarded the DSO in 2013 and CBE in 2016.
He was colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland from 2016 until his retirement from the regular Army in 2020.
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