City troops off to Helmand

CITY-Based soldiers were setting off today for a six-month operational tour in Afghanistan.

The troops, from The Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 SCOTS), left their permanent base at Dreghorn Barracks to travel to Helmand Province.

Around 80 soldiers will be part of 4 Mechanized Brigade, which will command Task Force Helmand.

They will take on a variety of roles, including training and mentoring the Afghan security forces.

The battalion traditionally recruit from Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. Their last tour in Afghanistan was in 2010.