The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Black Watch bid for Leuchars is backed by MSPs
army: Defence secretary’s signal offers hope for campaign to bring 3 Scots home
MSPs are rallying behind the return of The Black Watch to its spiritual home in Fife after the defence secretary signalled the move is on the cards.
Sir Michael Fallon told The Courier on Thursday that Leuchars will become Scotland’s flagship army base – and is giving serious thought to stationing the 3 Scots there.
The Black Watch will leave its Highlands base at Fort George in 2032 and The Courier is calling for it to be re-homed at Leuchars.
The regiment’s traditional recruiting grounds are in Tayside and Fife.
Leuchars, which is being upgraded, already houses the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, and units from Forthshire Stirling and DSG Stirling are to move there in the next 15 years.
Murdo Fraser, the Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, said he has put forward the case to the defence secretary to site The Black Watch at Leuchars.
Sir Michael is “seriously considering” the proposal with a decision likely in April, the Scottish Conservative MSP said.
“Leuchars is a fantastic site that has additional space that could house The Black Watch and making this happen could be good news for the local economy,” Mr Fraser added.
Willie Rennie, the Scottish Liberal Democrats leader, said: “It’s welcoming to see the defence secretary see the advantages of a bigger portfolio at Leuchars.
“The advantages of having The Black Watch are clear and I will continue to make the case for it to happen.
“I would welcome the defence secretary engaging with the local community on how best this could be performed.”
Stephen Gethins, the SNP MP for North East Fife, who is campaigning for Leuchars to host The Black Watch, also known as 3 Scots, has called for family friendly upgrades to the base.
He has previously urged the defence secretary to pledge more than the £8 million already earmarked for the expansion.
The changes are happening following a review of the defence estate announced in November.
As part of that, eight military bases are due to close in Scotland over the next 15 years and Condor Airfield in Angus is to be sold off.
The defence secretary, who was born in Perthshire, told The Courier during his visit to DC Thomson headquarters that the future of the Royal Marines at the Condor base in Arbroath is “absolutely secure”.
Mike Weir, the SNP MP for Angus, said: “Clearly the pledge from the defence secretary is welcome.
“I had previously sought, and been given, similar assurances when the sale of the airfield was announced.
“Strong local campaigns have had to be fought to keep Condor in past years and I am sure everyone will be on guard to ensure that this assurance is kept.”
“Going forward, however, it is imperative that the sale of the airfield delivers benefit to Arbroath and the greater Angus economy.”