Freedom of Aberdeenshire to be granted

The Freedom of Aberdeenshire will be granted to the SCOTS regiment.

Councillors today agreed unanimously to grant this ceremonial honour to the Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS).

There will be a ceremony in the first half of 2024, which will involve major community events and will celebrate the role of the Armed Forces in our communities.

The Royal Regiment of Scotland came into existence in 2006 when all the historical antecedent regiments (Royal Scots, Royal Highland Fusiliers, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, Black Watch, Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons & Camerons) and Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) were amalgamated into one large Scottish Regiment. The Gordon Highlanders had Freedoms of Grampian Region in 1980, Gordon District in 1988, Banff & Buchan District in 1994, Banchory in 1938 and Huntly in 1966.

The ceremony and community events will be a major attraction, an opportunity to showcase the connection to communities, also informing them about what the modern 21st Century soldier is all about and to help support veterans, reservists, and cadets.

Provost of Aberdeenshire Judy Whyte said: “I was pleased to see councillors agreeing to this unanimously today. Not only will this be a significant event which we hope to bring round various parts of Aberdeenshire, it represents our commitment to our Armed Forces. Aberdeenshire is a place where we celebrate our history and our future and the Royal Regiment of Scotland will be helping us do just that.”

Deputy Provost is Cllr Ron McKail. He said “In one of my roles I am the council Armed Froces and Veteran’s champion, so it is particularly special to me to see councillors back this proposal. The message this send to veterans, reservists, their families, cadets, serving personnel, is an important one. I am very much looking forward to the Freedom ceremony taking place next year and would encourage everyone to participate.”