Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Celebrate 50th Anniversary

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (SCOTS DG) has celebrated its 50th anniversary. 

The regiment's history dates back as far as 1678, when three independent troops of dragoons were raised at the House of the Binns, Linlithgow, by General Thomas 'Bluidy Tam' Dalyell.

However, the current regiment was formed through an amalgamation of the Royal Scots Greys and the 3rd Carabiniers at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh on 2 July 1971. 

Over the past 50 years, the SCOTS DG has participated in four Operational Tours of Northern Ireland, fought in the Gulf war in 1991, deployed to Bosnia and twice to Kosovo in the later 1990s, and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan three times each since 2001.

The regiment is now based in Leuchars in Scotland and its personnel are equipped with Jackal and Coyote vehicles for their role as Light Cavalry.

Their recent commitments include the UK's contribution to NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence mission in Poland and the Baltic states.

They also supported NHS Scotland with its COVID-19 testing and vaccination programmes from the outset of the pandemic until February this year.

Speaking about the landmark anniversary, the regiment's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Graeme Craig said: "This anniversary prompts an important moment of reflection for the SCOTS DG.

"We draw much of our fighting spirit from our strong connection with our veterans, and I find it inspiring to think of the number of people who have served wearing our cap badge over the last 50 years."

The regiment has Her Majesty The Queen as its Colonel in Chief since 1953 and His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent as Deputy Colonel in Chief since 1993.

Both have sent messages to the serving soldiers, veterans community and the families of the regiment highlighting the affection and time-honoured bonds between the regiment and the royal family. 

The Duke of Kent was commissioned into the Royal Scots Greys in 1955 and served as a regular officer for more than 20 years.

He was deployed to West Germany, Hong Kong and as part of the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus and in Northern Ireland, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1973.

He retired from the Army in 1976 and was subsequently promoted to Major General. He is currently one of only six UK serving Field Marshals. 

As well as marking the 50th anniversary on 2 July, the SCOTS DG will continue to celebrate across the summer including events in Leuchars and a parade through Edinburgh in September.

Cover image: British Army.