Army chief installed as Edinburgh castle governor

SCOTLAND'S most senior army officer, Major General David Shaw, will be installed as the Governor of Edinburgh Castle tomorrow.

General Shaw, who is the General Officer Commanding the army's 2nd Division, which encompasses Scotland, the North of England and Northern Ireland, will take on this ceremonial role as part of his military appointment. He will be installed on 24 June on the Castle Esplanade and the position makes him a member of the Royal Household in Scotland.

The role of Governor dates back to 1639, with the first being Sir Alexander Leslie. Previous incumbents include King James VII of Scotland in 1639 and John, 2nd Duke of Argyll in 1712. The installation ceremony, which is led by The Lord Lyon, King of Arms, will include a guard of honour from General Shaw's former regiment, 40 Regiment Royal Artillery, which he used to command.

General Shaw was born and brought up in Sri Lanka and was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1976. He has had a varied career, serving in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands and Germany.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the ceremony, which starts at 7.30pm.