Military presence at Edinburgh Castle put in doubt

Published on Saturday 31 October 2009 18:46

THE army's presence at Edinburgh Castle is to be reviewed amid growing concerns about Scotland's declining military prowess, Scotland on Sunday can reveal.

Historic Scotland, which owns the castle, will meet senior officers next month to discuss scaling down the garrison that has been the most potent symbol of the British Army in Scotland for centuries.

Confidential documents have revealed that the government's heritage agency is examining the role of the castle, which serves as the HQ for the Royal Regiment of Scotland, arguing its main priority should be as a tourist attraction.

The documents, obtained by Scotland on Sunday under Freedom of Information legislation, will fuel speculation that an imminent re-structuring of the army in Scotland could result in troops leaving the ancient fortress, which has been an active base since 1745.

Senior officers and Historic Scotland representatives will convene an Edinburgh Castle strategy working group on 17 December to look at the future of the castle, which houses around 40 soldiers at Brigade Headquarters, the Officers' Mess and a Royal Military Police detachment.

They will be joined by representatives of the Scottish National War Memorial, the Scots Dragoon Guards Museum and the Royal Scots Museum, who also share the home of the world famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. A letter from Peter Bromley, Historic Scotland's director of Properties in Care, to officers said the castle's military presence appeared to be diminishing.

He also underlined the importance of the castle as a tourist destination.

The army itself has acknowledged that fewer troops are being stationed at the castle. An e-mail from a senior officer thanked Historic Scotland for suggesting "some areas where we could develop a common understanding".

Well-informed reports have suggested that the two Scottish-based brigades in 2 Division of the Army – 51 Brigade at Stirling and 52 Brigade, divided between Redford Barracks and Edinburgh Castle – will be reduced to one.

The divisional HQ, at Craigiehall in Edinburgh, will be abandoned. The Stirling-based brigade is expected to move to Redford, with 52 Brigade disappearing.

The pending reorganisation was said to have been a factor behind the high-profile resignation of Major General Andrew Mackay, the head of the Armed Forces in Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England as well as the Governor of Edinburgh Castle.

The restructuring has even led to suggestions that the complete withdrawal of troops from the castle may be considered.

"That is something I would not wish to see, having had all my army career at the castle," said Brigadier Mel Jameson, the former producer of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. "The castle has been the heartbeat of the regiments in Scotland. It is a living castle."