Argyll Territorials, 1908 - Present Day
In 1908, the creation of the Territorial Force, saw the Volunteer Battalions renamed the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Territorial Battalions (A and SH). These units served throughout both World Wars.
5th BattalionThe Battalion was reorganised in 1908, with Headquarters and six Companies at Greenock and further Companies in Port Glasgow and Gourock. Before the Second World War, the 5th Battalion became a Machine Gun Battalion and was then converted to an Anti-Tank Regiment, but continued to wear The Argyll and Sutherland Highlander’s cap badge. In 1947, it was amalgamated with the 6th Battalion to form 402 Anti-Tank Regiment (A and SH).
6th Battalion
In 1908, the 2nd (Renfrewshire) Volunteer Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 3rd (Renfrewshire) Volunteer Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, merged to become the 6th Battalion, with Headquarters and three Companies at Paisley and others in Barrhead, Johnstone, Pollokshaws, Renfrew and Thornliebank. Before the Second World War, the 6th Battalion became a Machine Gun Battalion and was then converted to an Anti-Tank Regiment, but continued to wear The Argyll and Sutherland Highlander’s cap badge. In 1947, it was amalgamated with the 5th Battalion to form 402 Anti-Tank Regiment (A and SH).
7th Battalion
In 1908, the 4th and 7th Volunteer Battalions became the 7th Battalion, with Headquarters and a Company at Stirling and other Companies in: Alloa, Alva, Tillicoultry, Falkirk, Kinross, Larbert, Denny, Lennoxtown, Sauchie and Clackmannan. The 7th Battalion continued as an infantry battalion throughout the Second World War, until disbanded in 1967.
8th Battalion
The Battalion was reorganised in 1908, with Headquarters and a Company at Dunoon and Companies in: Ballachulish, Bowmore, Campbeltown, Easdale, Glendaruel, Inveraray and Southend. The 8th Battalion continued as an infantry battalion throughout the Second World War until disbanded in 1967.
9th Battalion
The Battalion was reorganised in 1908, with Headquarters and a Company at Helensburgh and Company locations in: Alexandria, Dumbarton, Clydebank, Jamestown, Kirkintilloch, Milngavie, and Yoker. The 9th Battalion became 554 Anti-Aircraft Regiment, but continued to wear the Argyll and Sutherland Highlander’s cap badge.
Present Day
More amalgamations and changes in role occurred in 1955 and 1961, which resulted in the formation of 277 (A and SH) Field Regiment Royal Artillery. On the formation of Highland Volunteer Battalion in 1967, the old Territorial battalions were disbanded. The 3rd Battalion, 51st Highland Volunteers (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) with its Headquarters in Stirling and its companies spread throughout the Regimental Area came into being in 1985; and then in 1995, the title was changed to 7th/8th (Volunteer) Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
With the reduction of the Territorial Army in 1999, 7th/8th Argylls was disbanded and reduced to two companies, which together with companies from the other disbanded battalions became the 51st Highland Regiment.
The 2 Companies were:
• D (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Company in Dumbarton and Dunoon
• E (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Company in Stirling
At the formation of The Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006, the 51st Highland Regiment became the 7th Battalion of the new regiment, known as 51st Highland, 7th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 SCOTS). Officers and soldiers from this battalion continue to volunteer and many have seen active service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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