51st Highland Volunteers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 51st Highland, 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland |
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Badge of the Regiment
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| Active | 1967 – Present |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  British Army |
| Type | Line Infantry |
| Role | Army Reserve Light Infantry |
| Size | Battalion 471 personnel |
| Part of | 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland |
| Garrison/HQ | Headquarters in Perth |
| Nickname(s) | 7 SCOTS |
| Motto(s) | Nemo Me Impune Lacessit (No One Assails Me With Impunity) (Latin) |
| March | Quick - Scotland the Brave Slow - The Garb of Auld Gaul |
| Commanders | |
| Royal Colonel | The King |
| Colonel of the Regiment |
Major General William Euan Buchanan Loudon, CBE |
| Insignia | |
| Tactical Recognition Flash |  |
| Tartan | Government |
| Hackle | Purple |
The 51st Highland Volunteers (also called 51 HIGHLAND) is a special army group in the British Army. It's part of the Army Reserve, which means its soldiers are not full-time but can be called upon when needed. This group is based in the Scottish Highlands.
It is also known as 7 SCOTS because it's the 7th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. There's another similar reserve group called 52nd Lowland (6 SCOTS) in the Scottish Lowlands.
The 51st Highland Volunteers started in 1967. Its name remembers the brave 51st (Highland) Division. Many soldiers from this division fought in the First and Second World Wars.
Contents
History of the 51st Highland Volunteers
Early Days and World War I
The story of the 51st Highland Volunteers goes back to the 1800s. At that time, groups of volunteer soldiers called Rifle Volunteers were formed across Scotland. These groups were made up of regular people who wanted to help protect their country.
Over time, these smaller volunteer groups came together. They became part of a bigger army group called the Territorial Force. This was a new way to organize reserve soldiers in the early 1900s.
Many of these Scottish units joined the famous 51st (Highland) Division. This division fought in major battles during the First World War. They were involved in tough fights like the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele in France.
Between the Wars and World War II
After the First World War ended, the Territorial Force was reorganized. The Highland battalions were brought back together, though some smaller groups joined up.
These units once again played a big part in the Second World War. They fought as part of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. Sadly, many soldiers from the division were captured during the war.
After World War II and the Cold War
After the Second World War, the 51st (Highland) Division was briefly stopped. But it was soon brought back. It joined with another division to form the 51st/52nd (Scottish) Division. Later, the 51st Highland Division became independent again. It took charge of army reserve units in the Scottish Highlands.
In the 1960s, the British Army changed a lot. Many soldiers who were serving full-time left. Because of these changes, the 51st Highland Volunteers were officially formed in 1967. This new group brought together many of the older Highland reserve battalions. Its main base was in Perth.
Over the years, the 51st Highland Volunteers changed its structure several times. New companies (smaller groups of soldiers) were added, and some were moved to different towns.
In 1999, all the different battalions that made up the 51st Highland Volunteers joined into one single battalion. It was then called the 51st Highland Regiment.
Then, in 2006, the 51st Highland Regiment became the 7th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland. This is why it's now known as 7 SCOTS.
What They Do Today
The main headquarters for the 7th Battalion is at Queen's Barracks in Perth. This battalion also includes the Highland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and its own Pipes and Drums band.
Today, 7 SCOTS works closely with another army group called 3 SCOTS. They both serve as light infantry battalions. This means they are trained to move quickly and fight on foot.
The battalion is made up of a headquarters company and three rifle companies:
- Battalion Headquarters, in Perth
- Headquarters (Black Watch) Company, also in Perth
- A (Black Watch) Company, in Dundee, with platoons (smaller groups) in Aberdeen and Kirkcaldy
- C (Highlanders) Company, in Inverness, with a platoon in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
- D (Argylls) Company, in Dumbarton, with a platoon in Stirling
