Vital in times of conflict: 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers).

Often overlooked by the wider public, the 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers), and the 52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland are Territorial Army detachments whose vital contribution during times of conflict is greatly valued by the army as a whole.

Among its best-known members is Sergeant James Shannon - known as Shannon the Cannon - who is the 29th man to take on the high-profile role of the One o'Clock Gunner.

The 52nd Lowland stems from the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division, which was originally formed in 1908 and sent to Gallipoli during the First World War. It would later be sent to Egypt and then Gaza in 1917, before being sent to the second Battle of the Somme and the second Battle of Arras. In the Second World War its men fought in Western Europe, including Holland and Belgium.

A Company of 52nd Lowland, also known as 6 SCOTS, has a rifle platoon and military band in Edinburgh, and another platoon in Bathgate.

Servicemen and women from 6 SCOTS were among 600 UK reservists who were sent to Helmand on March 2010 with troops from 1 SCOTS to battle Taliban fighters.

They were joined by regular units including the Scots Guards, 14 Squadron (Tornados) from RAF Lossiemouth, 1 Scots, and 51 Squadron RAF Regiment from Lossiemouth.

105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) carry out many vital roles, particularly ceremonial duties, including the firing of the One o'Clock Gun.

It is equipped with the L118 Light Gun and has the honour of firing royal salutes at castles in Edinburgh, Stirling and Belfast. Gunners from 105 Regiment recently fired a 21-gun royal salute at Edinburgh Castle to celebrate the anniversary of the coronation of the Queen.

Commanding Officer of 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) Lieutenant Colonel Chris Huthwaite was last autumn granted permission to drop the time ball at the top of the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill.

105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) has three Field Artillery Batteries and is keen to recruit female gunners.

6 SCOTS' headquarters are in Glasgow but there are detachments in Bathgate, Edinburgh, Ayr, Dumfries, Galashiels and Motherwell.

• 6 SCOTS servicemen and women have recently been granted permission to wear a grey hackle behind the Royal Regiment of Scotland cap badge on their Tam o'Shanter, to distinguish themselves as 52nd Lowlanders.