Brushing up

Pte Peter Higgins grooms Cruachan, the Shetland pony mascot of Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, as the regiment prepares for public duties in London. Before these kilted soldiers can stand guard outside Buckingham Palace or the Tower of London, they have to pass muster at Wellington Barracks. This requires the Edinburgh-based troops to prove their ceremonial prowess in front of senior officers of the Household Division.