APPRECIATION

The retired mascot of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Shetlandponylancecorporalcruachan III, has died. Cruachan III, who was 30 years old, was suffering from arthritis all over his body and, despite extensive medical treatment, he was still in severe pain. Vets made the decision to put him to sleep, in the familiar surroundings of his stable at Edinburgh’s Redford Barracks on 27 February.

Shetland Pony mascots have been an integral part of the Army in Scotland’s history for almost 90 years, since Princess Louise presented Cruachan I to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1929. They have represented their regiments in front of the Queen at State ceremonial events, on public duties and at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. They have all embodied the toughness, feistiness, humour and sometimes stubbornness of the Scottish soldier and have always been much-loved members of their regiments, serving with them wherever in the world they went.

Cruachan III had a long and glittering military career, joining the 1st Battalion the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in September 1995. He served everywhere the Argylls did around Scotland and England, including stints at Balmoral with the Royal Guard. He also served with them on several operational tours, in the Balkans, Iraq and Northern Ireland.

During his service, he was awarded the Natoformer Yugoslavia Medal, the Iraq Medal, the General Service medal with the Northern Ireland Clasp, the Accumulated Service Medal and the Jubilee medal.

In 2006, on the formation of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, he became their first mascot and continued representing the Regiment at State and public duties and parades, as well as at fairs, charity events, Highland Games and horse shows all over the country, delighting thousands of members of the public with his endearing character. He was even asked to appear in the spectacular Diamond Jubilee Pageant, in honour of the Queen’s 60 years as monarch, in May 2012.

He retired from service on the last night of the 2012 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, where he led the guard of honour at the show’s finale, in front of 9,000 audience members and a 1,000-strong cast. This was the 10th run of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo he had taken part in over the years.

After his military career was over, Cruachan III became stablemate to Cruachan IV, who took over from him as the official mascot. He still travelled with Cruachan IV to events for as long as he was able.

He carried on winning awards, as well as hearts, after his retirement. He was named Equine Personality of the Year’ in 2016 by the British Horse Society – an honour which saw him presented with the prestigious Tarragon Trophy. He also received an award for his charity work in 2017, from veterans’ organisation Erskine. He was named as one of their 100 Heroes, to celebrate the centenary of the charity. He was one of only 100 who were awarded a Heroes medal – and the only animal.

Corporal Mark Wilkinson, the Royal Regiment of Scotland’s Pony Major, looked after both Cruachan III and IV. He paid tribute to him:

“Although we did not work on any ceremonial events together, Cruachan III has spent his last five and a half years in retirement with me. He has helped to train and keep Cruachan IV in line. I know for certain Cruachan IV would not have been as easy to train if it had not been for his calming influence, stern demeanour and occasional nip and telling off.

“I will always be in debt to him for giving me the opportunity to meet so many people, both civilian and military. Her Majesty The Queen always asked for him and everyone always smiled when they saw him – this is a testament to how loved he was.

“He had been challenged with numerous health problems in his later years, which he has always been able to beat. Unfortunately, this one was too much.

“An animal first but soldier second, he held all values and standards we would expect in a Scottish soldier coming into work. Nothing was ever a chore and I will miss not seeing his face covered in feed every morning. Goodnight Wee Man. Rest easy.”

The Royal Regiment of Scotland also paid tribute to their famous mascot:

“It is with a great deal of sadness that we bid farewell to one of the most memorable characters in the Regiment. Always smart and never failing on parade, he represented the Regiment loyally and steadfastly for many years. He embodied the traits of the Scottish soldier; steady, hardy and even- tempered.

“His sense of mischief was well known and admired, except perhaps by the Pony Majors, who often would have to stand on their guard. Even in retirement, as a veteran, he played a part in the Regiment, helping Cruachan IV assume the role and keeping him company. “He will be missed by all.” An act of remembrance will be held for Cruachan III at Stirling Castle, the historic home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, where his remains will be interred. CONTRIBUTED