Royal Navy

THE Capital retains strong links to the Royal Navy through its status as "home port " to type-42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh.

Nicknamed "The Fortress of the Sea", the vessel's visit in March drew more than 3000 visitors, while it maintains close ties with three sea cadet units in the Lothians.

A major refit in 2010 upgraded HMS Edinburgh's weapon systems and communications to keep the vessel in service until 2013. After completing its Sea-Dart missile firing trials in April, it is expected to return to combating smugglers and pirates in a range of hostile locations.

The other Royal Navy presence in Edinburgh is the detachment of the Royal Marines Reserves, who are based close to Redford Barracks in Colinton and carry out exercises in the Pentlands and Castlelaw Training Area.