Councils rally to defend regiment

Civic leaders said the regiment is an important community symbol

The civic leaders of four councils have urged ministers to safeguard the future of the Black Watch.

Provosts of Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross and Fife met representatives of the regiment at the Black Watch memorial in Dundee.

They fear the regiment could be scrapped under UK Government plans to restructure the armed forces.

Four infantry battalions across the UK, including one from Scotland, are to be axed as part of the shake-up.

The drive forms part of Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon's plans for the future of the services.

The Black Watch is known and renowned throughout the world Bob Scott Perth and Kinross Council

The Black Watch, whose 531 troops are based at Warminster, is the oldest Highland regiment and currently has soldiers deployed in Iraq.

Many of its troops are drawn from Perthshire, Fife, Angus and Dundee.

Bob Scott, Provost of Perth and Kinross Council, said there was "a tremendous loyalty" towards the regiment.

He said: "We are here to show our support for the regimental system in Scotland as it stands.

'Tremendous pride'

"The Black Watch is known and renowned throughout the world.

"The cuts being proposed are a step too far and the people who make these decisions should remember there is a General Election ahead and they should be careful what they say."

Bill Middleton, Provost of Angus Council, said: "Our areas are major recruiting grounds for the Black Watch and the regiment is surrounded with feelings of tremendous pride, respect and affection."

He said that he feared the identity of the Black Watch would be lost should it become part of a larger regiment.

Black Watch soldier's could be under threat from the shake-up

Lord Provost John Letford, of Dundee Council, said: "For many years Dundee has been associated with the Black Watch and they have the freedom of our city.

"There will be many changes in the future but as far as our regiment is concerned at this time, when young people are losing their lives in conflict, I think it is very inappropriate to be raising this issue."

Charles Quinn, a former regimental sergeant major with the Black Watch, who is part of the Black Watch Association, said it was supporting the retention of all Scottish regiments.

"Our own regiment is coming back from Iraq in a few weeks' time and once they do we will be able to step up our campaign," he said.

"If the government was going to amalgamate us, I would much rather that the Black Watch disbanded and we could go out with our heads held high."

The Black Watch supporters - who are also part of the Save The Scottish Regimentsw Campaign - plan to stage a mass demonstration against government plans in Dundee on 23 October.