Royal Regiment of Scotland to be granted the Freedom of Aberdeenshire
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The Royal Regiment of Scotland to be granted the Freedom of Aberdeenshire the first time the council has used its power to grant such an honour.
The Freedom status will give soldiers the ceremonial right to parade through the region’s streets with colours.
Doing this will allow the regiment to showcase their connection to Aberdeenshire communities and give them the chance to explain what it means to be a 21st Century soldier.
A special weekend of events is expected to be held next May to celebrate the occasion – estimated to cost around £30,000.
However, the local authority will look to gain sponsorship to help raise cash for the occasion in a bid to prevent any costly impact to its budget.
The celebrations will include a procession and presentation, followed by a community event and a civic dinner to be hosted by Aberdeenshire provost councillor Judy Whyte.
Activities would start in the north of the region, before the regiment would move on to smaller public events in central and south Aberdeenshire.
The matter was discussed at a meeting of full council on Thursday.
Council leader Gillian Owen said granting Freedom would be an “opportunity to demonstrate the gratitude of the citizens of Aberdeenshire to the SCOTS regiment for their dedication, support and bravery.
“It will further cement our strong links and send a clear message of support,” she stated.
Councillor Gwyneth Petrie also backed the proposal but asked for reassurance that the council will keep the celebratory events at a “manageable” cost if alternative funding can’t be found.
She said: “We have a number of serving personnel, families and veterans living throughout our communities and it is vital we show our support for the work of the armed forces.”
After getting unanimous support from the chamber, Provost Whyte told the chamber she was looking forward to making arrangements for the celebrations.
“It will be a matter of great civic pride for Aberdeenshire and I’m sure it’s one that our communities will embrace,” she claimed.
The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) was formed in 2006 when all the historical regiments, including the Gordon Highlanders and Black Watch, were merged into one.
More than 16 local authorities across the country have already granted the SCOTS freedom of their areas.
These include the Highland, Stirling, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, and Dumfries and Galloway councils.
The Gordon Highlanders previously had freedom of the Grampian region back in 1980 as well as the Gordon and Banff & Buchan districts.
Soldiers were also granted freedom of Banchory in 1938 and Huntly in 1966.
