City soldiers cheered by royal visit

Published on 19/12/2012 12:06

Soldiers from Dreghorn Barracks serving in Afghanistan over Christmas have been visited by the Princess Royal.

Princess Anne flew into Camp Bastion to be shown around by a number of units and boost morale.

The princess, who was accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, was shown around Camp Tombstone where the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots) are based.

Many members of the battalion are due to arrive home tonight after their six-month tour of Afghanistan was cut short.

Major Andy Watson, 33, from the Capital, said: “The visit was fantastic. It was a nice surprise as we only found out about it at the last minute for security reasons. For many of the Jocks it’s the first time they’ve met Her Royal Highness, so for morale it’s fantastic – especially this close to Christmas.”