Armed forces in Scotland

For the armed forces of the pre-Union Kingdom of Scotland, see Scots Army and Royal Scots Navy.

This is a list of active military units, bases and barracks of the British Armed Forces in Scotland since the Treaty of Union 1707, when the Kingdom of Scotland relinquished its independence and formed a union with the Kingdom of England to the create the Kingdom of Great Britain. As a result, Scottish armed forces were merged, together with the English armed forces, into the British Army. The armed forces in Scotland include the military bases and organisation in Scotland or associated with Scotland. This includes servicemen and women from Scotland and Scottish regiments and brigades. The Military in Scotland includes the three services. The Army (regular and reserve) which has bases across Scotland, the RAF and the Navy.

Soldiers of the 105th Regiment Royal Artillery at Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh tattoo

Prior to the Treaty of Union 1707, the Kingdom of Scotland's army was the Scots Army and its navy was the Royal Scots Navy. Today, the Royal Regiment of Scotland – the most senior and only Scottish regiment line infantry of the British Armed Forces – consists of several infantry battalions, namely, the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the Black Watch, the Highlanders and the Balaklava Company, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Its reserve battalions include the 52nd Lowland Volunteers, the 51st Highland Volunteers, the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Lowland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The Scots Guards is one of the five Foot Guards regiments of the British Army. Its origins are as the personal bodyguard of King Charles I of England and Scotland.

Presence

 

Soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland

The military presence in Scotland as of 2021 consists of the following:

• 10,440 Regular Armed Forces personnel
• 5,320 Reserve Personnel
• 4,030 Civilian Personnel

As of April 2021, the Regular Armed Forces in Scotland included; 3,790 in the Army, 4,270 in the Navy and 2,060 in the Air Force.^[1]

UK government policy

Defence and national security are reserved matters which are the responsibility of the UK parliament and reserved matters are set out in schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998.^[2] The UK Government claims that Scotland’s geography, and military capabilities is important for the UK and NATO’s defence and security in the North Atlantic and the High North. The UK government identified the following factors that may influence priorities in these regions;

• Increasing Russian hostilities
• Chinese interest in Arctic politics
• New sea routes & traffic (including new routes opened by retreating ice)
• Resource competition
• Vulnerability of offshore and subsea infrastructure e.g 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage^[3]

The UK Government made a pledge of 12,500 regular armed forces by 2020 which not been meet and has thus been criticised by the Scottish government.^[1][4] The Scottish government argues that Westminster's commitment to nuclear weapons has led to other aspects of Scottish defence weakened and that Trident renewal will reduce funding for conventional equipment and the number service personnel. They also claim that "cost overruns are endemic and major projects have been significantly delayed" and uses the example of two aircraft carriers built before availability of aircraft for them.^[5]

Scottish Government policy

Main articles: Scottish Government and Minister for Veterans (Scotland)

 

Black Watch (3 SCOTS) soldier at Al Asad Air Base, during Operation Inherent Resolve

Whilst deference and security remains a reserved matter to the UK Government under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998, the Scottish Government does have a role to play in terms of supporting Scotland's military personnel and veterans. The Scottish Government advocates that it "aims to put the needs of the armed forces and veterans community at the forefront of policy thinking, development and delivery" as it "recognises the sacrifice of the armed forces, veterans and their families".^[6] A junior ministerial post was created in the Scottish Government under First Minister Humza Yousaf.^[7] The Minister for Veterans provides an update to the Scottish Parliament annually on the governments work relating to community support for Scotland's personnel and veterans. The Minister for Veterans is responsible for ensuring Scottish Government support is in place for veterans and currently serving personnel.^[8]

The main objectives of the Scottish Government through its policy approach to supporting Scottish military personnel and veterans is:^[9]

• to ensure no individual faces disadvantage if they are either current service personnel or veterans, and their families in Scotland are able to access public services and support
• that Scotland is viewed as a ‘destination of choice’ for service leavers and their families
• to provide substantial and visible Scottish Government support and services for the armed forces community

Expenditure

See also: List of countries in Europe by military expenditures

The following table lists the annual public expenditure allocated to Scotland from 2013/14 to 2021/22 according to the Office for National Statistics and below is the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) expenditure in Scotland itself:

Year	2013/14	2014/15	2015/16	2016/17	2017/18	2018/19	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22
Allocated to Scotland £m (current price)^[10]	3,021	3,034	3,021	3,055	3,174	3,293	3,451	3,630	3,972
Spent in Scotland £m (% of UK spend)^[11]	1,316	1,407	1,523	1,585	1,649	1,758	2,066	1,989	2,010
Difference £m^[10]^[11]	1,705	1,627	1,498	1,470	1,525	1,535	1,385	1,641	1,962

Policy

The UK government views the UK's defence as being "stronger and safer" with cooperative Scottish participation in the combined defence and security of the UK.^[12] The UK government claims for 2021/22 that defence spending per capita was £370 in Scotland and £310 for the whole of the UK.^[13]

First minister Humza Yousaf has said that an independent Scotland would aim to maintain 2% GDP defence spending to meet the NATO target.^[14][15]

Army

 

Royal Regiment of Scotland at Edinburgh Castle

The centre of army operations in Scotland is Leuchars Station in Fife is the base for the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, the Royal Engineers and Military police units.^[1] Robin Lindsay is the Military Secretary and General Officer Scotland.^[16]

Policy

In 2021, UK defence secretary Ben Wallace made a committed that the number of battalions stationed in Scotland would increase from six to seven units and that the army in Scotland would be a "greater proportion of the Army than today". He also said that Kinloss and Leuchars bases would be expanded.^[17]

Redford barracks is set to close in 2029 and Fort George is set to close in 2032 as part of the UK government's Future Soldier plan.^[18][19]

The Black Watch battalion will relocate from Fort George barracks to Leuchars (both in Scotland) in 2029. This would mean closure of Fort George in 2029 rather than 2032 as originally planned and the return of the Black Watch to the traditional recruiting area of Tayside.^[20]

Scottish units

Units based in Scotland

 

Royal Regiment of Scotland receives the Freedom of the City of Stirling

• Headquarters, 51st Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Scotland^[21]
• Royal Scots Dragoon Guards^[21]
• Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry
• Royal Regiment of Scotland:^[21] (Highland Fusiliers, Black Watch, Highlanders, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 52nd Lowland Volunteers, 51st Highland Volunteers)
• 105th Regiment Royal Artillery^[22]
• 32 Signal Regiment^[23]
• 154 (Scottish) Regiment RLC^[24]
• 71 Engineer Regiment (United Kingdom)^[25]

Units based in England

• Scots Guards^[26]
• 19th Regiment Royal Artillery^[27]

Barracks

• Edinburgh Castle - the army is responsible for the Barrack Block, GOC/Officers Mess, Royal Scots Headquarters, Royal Scots Museum, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum, The Gunners house, Army Education Centre, Guardroom (part-shared with Historic Scotland).^[28]
• Kinloss Barracks^[29]
• Glencorse Barracks^[18]
• Dreghorn Barracks^[30]
• Cameron Barracks^[31]
• Leuchars Station^[32]
• Fort George, Highland (set to close in 2032)^[19][18]
• Redford Barracks (set to close in 2029)^[18]

Navy

Operations and policy

 

Faslane naval base

The Clyde naval base (Faslane) houses the nuclear-armed Vanguard 15 class submarines that form the "At-Sea Nuclear Deterrent". The base also houses the Astute Class of attack submarines and a frigate acting as a Towed Array Patrol ship operates that protect Trident-equipped submarines and perform anti-submarine activities.^[3]

Due to retreat of arctic ice, it is possible that maritime activity in the High North will increase with a further emphasis on navy activities from Scotland. This is made more likely by Russian emphasis on arctic naval activity.^[3]

Trident

Main article: Trident (UK nuclear programme)

The Scottish government and a cross-party majority in the Scottish Parliament is opposed to having nuclear weapons in Scotland. In the event of Scottish independence, which is supported by the Scottish government, the nuclear programme will be moved out of Scotland "at pace".^[33][34] The SNP have claimed that Scotland spends £180m annually on Trident alone, and so £180m would be saved each year with the removal of Trident and independence.^[35]

In the event of Scottish independence, the MOD of the UK's preferred option would be to move the at-sea nuclear deterrent base to Devonport naval base in Plymouth. The UK government has no plans to move Trident otherwise.^[36]

Bases & establishments

• HMNB Clyde (Faslane)^[37] including RNAD Coulport^[38] headed by Naval Base Commander, Commodore Sharon Malkin^[39]
• RM Condor^[40]
• HMS Dalriada^[41]
• British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (BUTEC)^[42]
• HMS Caledonia & HMS Scotia^[43]
• University Royal Naval Unit East Scotland^[44]
• University Royal Naval Unit Glasgow^[45]
• RAF Tain^[46]

Air force

 

Lossiemouth air base

Operations and policy

Air force assets in Scotland operate in defence of the North Atlantic and the High North via; surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and Quick Reaction Alert jets from Lossiemouth base, which is the primary air base in Scotland.^[3] The Air Officer Scotland is Air-Vice Marshall Ross Paterson.^[47]

GIUK gap

Surveillance of the Greenland-Iceland-UK Gap (GIUK gap) also occurs from Lossiemouth which contributes to Iceland's policing. The P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft is used in the GIUK gap and for anti-submarine warfare. Norwegian P-8As also use facilities at Lossiemouth, and the RAF also uses Norwegian bases. The Norwegian Ambassador says this provides cost savings and operational flexibility.^[3]

Stations

• RAF Kirknewton^[48]
• RAF Lossiemouth^[48] including: No. 1 Squadron RAF, No. 2 Squadron RAF, No. 6 Squadron RAF, No. 8 Squadron RAF, No. 9 Squadron RAF, No. 51 Squadron RAF, No. 120 Squadron RAF, No. 201 Squadron RAF, No. 2622 Squadron RAuxAF Regiment, 4 RAF Police Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service, Tain Air Weapons Range^[49]

Bases

• RRH Benbecula^[46]
• RRH Buchan^[46]
• RAF Saxa Vord^[46]
• Leuchars Diversion Airfield^[46] army barracks with RAF stations)^[32]
• RAF Lossiemouth^[46]
• RAF Prestwick^[46]

Exercises

Twice a year Exercise Joint Warrior utilises the navy, marines, air force and army and forces from 13 other countries in order to test NATO’s ‘Very High Readiness’ forces.^[50]

Veterans

As of 2017, there were around 230,000 veterans living in Scotland.^[51]

Policy

The Scottish government's policy on supporting veterans has included:

• The appointment of the first-ever Scottish Veterans Commissioner in 2014
• A Scottish Government Armed Forces Advocate, and expansion of the Scottish Armed Forces and Veterans Champions network
• Over £1 million in direct support for projects and organisations that support veterans^[52]

See also

• Military history of Scotland

References

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2. "Devolved and Reserved Powers". www.parliament.scot. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
3. "Defence in Scotland: the North Atlantic and the High North". publications.parliament.uk. Scottish Affairs Committee. 21 July 2023.
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5. "Chapter 6 International Relations and Defence". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
6. "Armed forces and veterans community". www.gov.scot. Scottish Government. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
7. Paton, Craig. "Yousaf says SNP is 'united' as he appoints supporters to his first Cabinet". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
8. "Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans". www.gov.scot. Scottish Government. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
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14. "Promises made on the SNP leadership campaign trail". The Independent. 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
15. NATO. "Defence expenditures and NATO's 2% guideline". NATO. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
16. "Page 20803 | Supplement 64200, 17 October 2023 | London Gazette | The Gazette". www.thegazette.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
17. "Army Restructuring: Future Soldier". hansard.parliament.uk. 2021.
18. "'Transformation' of Army in Scotland planned". BBC News. 2021-11-25. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
19. "Eight military bases in Scotland to close". BBC News. 2016-11-07. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
20. Kieran, Andrews (2023-11-07). "SNP criticises creation of Union division in army shake-up". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
21. "51ST INFANTRY BRIGADE AND HQ SCOTLAND".
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28. (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-28. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
29. Ross, Calum (2022-03-30). "Kinloss Barracks earmarked for £25million accommodation revamp". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
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32. "Leuchars Dversion Airfield".
33. "Removing Trident will be a key task for an independent Scotland". Scottish National Party. 2021-09-06. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
34. "Trident would be removed 'at pace' by an independent Scotland". The Times. 2021.
35. "Revealed: Scotland pays £180m for Trident every year". The National. 2019-03-18. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
36. Lynch, David (2021-09-01). "No plans to move nuclear subs over Scottish independence fears – MoD". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
37. "HMNB CLYDE".
38. WCN. "Deputy Superintendent RNAD Coulport - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK". www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
39. "Royal Navy recognises 168 years combined service At HMNB Clyde". www.royalnavy.mod.uk. 2023.
40. "RM CONDOR".
41. "HMS DALRIADA (GLASGOW)".
42. "MoD accused of expanding sub test area without consultation". BBC News. 2015-03-02. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
43. "HMS SCOTIA (ROSYTH)".
44. "URNU EAST SCOTLAND".
45. "URNU Glasgow".
46. "Our Bases".
47. "Air Officer Scotland".
48. "UK RAF STATIONS MAP".
49. "RAF LOSSIEMOUTH".
50. "EXERCISE JOINT WARRIOR". www.royalnavy.mod.uk.
51. "Veterans' Health & Wellbeing in Scotland" (PDF).
52. "Overarching measures". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 2023-11-02.