Historic event for High Constables

SCOTLAND’S ceremonial guards for civic and royal occasions will come together for a historic meeting at Edinburgh Castle tonight.

The four societies of High Constables in Scotland are due to meet for the first time in more than 400 years at a fundraising event attended by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. The group will raise money for the Commonwealth War Veterans at the reception in the Castle’s Great Hall.

The High Constables provide the traditional ceremonial guards for civic and royal duties in Scotland. The Holyrood High Constables carry out duties at the Palace when members of the Royal Family are in residence. An Act of 1617 ordained that the Constables were to be chosen across the country by the magistrates of each burgh.

The Edinburgh Society was founded in 1611 under the command of King James VI and was the precursor to the modern police force.

It now provides a guard of honour for the Lord Provost and Edinburgh City Council on ceremonial occasions such as the opening of the Edinburgh International Festival and the Church of Scotland General Assembly.

The event at Edinburgh Castle has also been organised by the High Constables of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Port of Leith and the City of Perth.