Since the official formation of the Territorial Army (TA) in 1908, the volunteer units within Scotland have undergone many changes to their structure, locations, numbers and names. During the 1990s, there were three TA battalions in the Highlands and two in the Lowlands. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders TA Battalion, known as 3/51 Highland Volunteers and latterly as 7th / 8th Argylls, had its Headquarters in Stirling and companies in Grangemouth/Falkirk, Cumbernauld and Dumbarton, Scotland.51st Highland, 7th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, ( 7 SCOTS)
Sadly, there are currently only two TA battalions in Scotland; and only Dumbarton (D Company) and the Assault Pioneer Platoon (Stirling) are designated as Argylls.
Nowadays, the old image of the weekend solder is very out-out-of-date as Territorials are expected to take their places with the regular soldiers. Following training and a few days in theatre, it is very difficult to pick out the TA lads and lassies. TA Argylls have served alongside the regulars in Iraq and Afghanistan, sometimes notching up several tours.
For further information please visit Territorial Army, The Royal Regiment of Scotland and British Army websites.
