Black Watch’s return will be a source of pride

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has unveiled “Future Soldier”, the latest overhaul of the British Army. Designed to transform the Army into a “more agile, integrated, lethal, expeditionary force’, the changes being made are the most radical for 20 years.

Part of the shake-up involves increasing the overall Army presence in Scotland, with a stay of execution being given to the Glencorse Barracks near Edinburgh and a beefing-up of operations at Kinloss.

However, from a Courier Country perspective, the decision to finally bring The Black Watch home to its heartland recruiting ground is the standout.

Long campaigned for locally, The Black Watch is now expected to leave Fort George in 2029 and set up its new operational base at Leuchars.

The return... will be a symbolic moment for this region

The former RAF base has been in the Army’s hands for a number of years but its long term future has remained a matter of speculation.

While details remain scant, talk of expanding Leuchars to accommodate the needs of a modern fighting unit is encouraging and will be welcome within the wider community, which has long embraced military life and whose fortunes is inextricably linked with that of the base.

But the return of The Black Watch, which has its spiritual home in Perth, where the regiment’s proud history is told within the walls of Balhousie Castle, will be a symbolic moment for this region and for the military in Scotland.

The service – and in many cases the sacrifice – given by thousands of young people from Tayside and Fife recruited into the ranks of The Black Watch is rightly a source of great pride to this region.

The Leuchars move may not happen until the end of this decade, but it is one that is already highly anticipated.