About Highland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association
What we do
Highland RFCA is a Central Government Arms' Length Body set up by statute to support Reserves, cadets and the Armed Forces community across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
Our Voluntary Membership plays a central role in helping us build relationships and forge understanding between the military and local communities.
Reserve Forces
Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career to ensure that should their country require them, they would be ready to serve as part of the military. The training, skills and experiences can be used to improve performance in the workplace.
Highland RFCA supports the Reserve Forces in a variety of ways, from maintenance of their buildings to welfare and recruiting support.
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Cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers
Highland RFCA employs around 50 staff to provide essential administration and logistic support for the Army Cadet Force. This includes safeguarding, stores ordering and accounting, providing the vehicle fleet and ensuring compliance with the Army’s rules and regulations. We employ a Wing Support Officer who conducts a similar role for some detachments of the RAF Air Cadets.
Highland RFCA’s Board approves grants to subsidise music, adventure training, battlefield tours and other beneficial activities for cadets of all three Services.
Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAV) come from all walks of life to work directly with cadets, helping them gain skills for life and fulfil their potential by planning and leading outdoor and classroom training in a fun, exciting and safe environment. They are taught all they need to know to deliver this rewarding activity, from instructional techniques to safeguarding.
For more information contact Deputy Chief Executive and Cadet Lead Tom Kerrigan:
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Estate Management
Highland RFCA is responsible for nearly 50 Reserve units and more than 200 cadet units located on over 130 sites across the Highlands and Islands. The Estates head office in Dundee is supported by area offices in Inverness, Aberdeen and Dumbarton. Changes to the way Hard Facilities Management (Hard FM) is delivered across the RFCA Volunteer Estate came into effect on 1 August 2024. Hard FM is now incorporated into the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) with services delivered by the Ministry of Defence Built Estate contracts. Regional Prime Contractor Mitie Defence delivers these services in Scotland. The HRFCA Estates team is responsible for assuring the work of Mitie Defence across the areas of fault reporting, inspections and tests, repairs, condition surveys, and checking Value for Money.
For more information contact Head of Estates Fraser Kennedy:
Finance
Highland RFCA obtains its funding through the Council of RFCAs from central Government and via local sources of income: the latter is used for estate development, community engagement, welfare grants to units, and for our core activities supporting the Reserve Forces and cadets.
For more information about how our finances are managed contact Head of Finance Craig Ansell:
Engagement
One of HRFCA’s core functions is to engage with the wider community to inform it of the contribution made, and the role undertaken, by the Reserve Forces and the cadet organisations in the Highland area. We achieve this through supporting, publicising and attending a range of events that bring the Armed Forces community into contact with the civilian population. We also deliver the Armed Forces Covenant and Defence Employer Recognition Schemes on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
For more information contact Head of Engagement Michelle McKearnon: