Posy thief pony is promoted
SCOTLAND’S most famous Army mascot – Shetland pony Cruachan 4th – has been promoted.
The Royal Regiment of Scotland’s nine-year-old mascot is now a corporal.
The pony, based at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh, has been the official mascot since his predecessor Cruachan 3rd retired in 2012 after more than 20 years of service.
His promotion comes despite him making headlines all over the world when he was caught on camera attempting to eat the Queen’s posy of flowers at an official visit to Stirling Castle.
An Army spokeswoman said: “Cruachan is a very special colleague to everyone in the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
“He delights all members of the public who meet him, young and old.
“We always reward hard work in the Army and he thoroughly deserves his promotion to corporal.
“With any luck, if he keeps his nose out of posies and away from royal fingers in the future, he can keep those stripes.”
The Army said that along with every other candidate for promotion, Cruachan had to attend a promotion course at the barracks’ Army Education Centre to prove he was up to the job.
He got stuck in with everyone else and left with a certificate and a brilliant report from his instructors.