Members of Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland marching in Balmoral — Members of Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland marching (Picture: PA)

King Charles III meets members of the public at the start of his summer residence in Balmoral — King Charles III meets members of the public at the start of his summer residence in Scotland (Picture: PA)

The pipe band of 3 & 4 SCOTS, Royal Regiment of Scotland march through the gates of Balmoral (Picture: PA)

Members of Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at the gates of Balmoral, before King Charles III carries out an inspection as he takes up summer residence at the castle (Picture: PA)

The pipe band of 3 & 4 SCOTS, Royal Regiment of Scotland as King Charles III carries out an inspection of the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland — King inspects the Royal Regiment of Scotland wearing his new tartan which was designed on the date of his coronation (Picture: PA)

King Charles III meets Shetland pony Cpl Cruachan IV during an inspection of the Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (Picture: PA)

King Charles

In pictures: Balaklava Company welcomes King to Balmoral with guard of honour in annual ritual

Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, gave His Majesty the King a formal Highland welcome to Balmoral, mounting a guard of honour steeped in ceremony.

The parade signalled the traditional start of the monarch's summer stay in Aberdeenshire – an annual ritual that has taken place at the castle for generations.

At the gates of Balmoral, King Charles inspected his Royal Guard before turning his attention to the regiment's much-loved mascot, Corporal Cruachan IV, the Shetland pony who has become a firm favourite at royal parades.

"Balaklava Company has the unique privilege of supporting His Majesty the King and the Royal Household during their Summer Court in Scotland," Officer Commanding Balaklava Company, Major Tommy Blair, said.

Pipes and Drums perform together

Following the inspection, a performance by massed pipes and drums brought together soldiers from 2, 3 and 4 SCOTS.

It was the first time since the Royal Regiment of Scotland was formed in 2006 that pipers and drummers from the battalions had paraded together at the Balmoral arrival ceremony.

Pipe Major Davies, 2 SCOTS, said: "It is an honour to be taking part in this year's arrival parade at Balmoral. For the first time since the regiment's formation in 2006, members of 2, 3 and 4 SCOTS pipe bands are on parade for this high-profile ceremonial event."

He added that the link with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo offered "a colourful and musical spectacle for His Majesty and the public".

The regimental mascot

Corporal Cruachan IV, the Royal Regiment of Scotland's mascot since 2012, was also on parade.

Wearing a regimental horse rug in Government 1A tartan and embellished with medals, the Shetland pony is a familiar figure at public and military events across Scotland.

The mascot's presence continues a tradition of animal figures within British Army units, often seen as a symbol of regimental pride.

King as Colonel-in-Chief

King Charles III is Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. For the ceremony, he wore the King Charles III tartan, designed in 2023 to mark his coronation and reserved for use by the royal family.

"It is always an honour to welcome His Majesty the King to Scotland, as our head of state, we take great pride in welcoming him to Balmoral," Drum Major Muir, 3 SCOTS, said.