July 4, 2025
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A 21-Gun Salute was fired at Edinburgh Castle on 1 July to mark His Majesty The King’s birthday and the start of Royal Week celebrations in Scotland.
Guests from a range of Armed Forces-friendly organisations were welcomed to the Officers’ Mess by Highland RFCA Deputy Chief Executive Major (Retired) Tom Kerrigan.
Highland RFCA Deputy Chief Executive Major (Retired) Tom Kerrigan (centre) welcomed guests to Edinburgh Castle. Also pictured are Army Reservist Lieutenant Colonel Doug Bertram and Sub Lieutenant Zoe Carmichael of the Royal Naval Reserve.
Guests then heard from Lieutenant Colonel Doug Bertram, a Reservist and Commanding Officer of 105th Regiment Royal Artillery, who thanked the employers for supporting the Armed Forces before handing over to his Adjutant who gave a talk about the history of Gun Salutes.
Guests were then escorted to the Salute viewing area accompanied by music from the Royal Marines Band Scotland.
The Royal Marines Band Scotland provided music.
Reviewing Officer Air Commodore Sonia Phythian OBE of the Royal Air Force was piped to the dais by a Reservist from the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry before giving permission for the Salute to be fired. The Salute was timed to be fired at the exact moment The King arrived by helicopter at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and fired by 46 (Talavera) Battery from Salisbury-based 32 Regiment Royal Artillery (The Wessex Gunners).
Air Commodore Phythian moves to the dais accompanied by 105th Regiment Royal Artillery and a piper from the Scotland and North Irish Yeomanry.
Air Commodore Phythian waiting for His Majesty The King’s helicopter (pictured) to land before giving permission for the Gun Salute to begin.
Air Commodore Phythian takes the Salute.
Firing commences.
Smoke surrounds two gunners after one of the guns is fired.
Following this, the Air Commodore inspected the Saluting Troop before returning with guests to the Officers’ Mess for refreshments.
Air Commodore Phythian inspects the Saluting Troop.
The Salute was followed by Armed Forces Covenant signings and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award presentations to Carmichael and Baxter Industrial Services, GBSS Civil Engineering Limited, and The House of Bruar.
Air Commodore Phythian presented the Awards on behalf of Defence. She is a former Head of the RAF Medical Services and is currently Head of Defence Case Management System, delivering a programme to support wounded, injured and sick Service personnel.
Air Commodore Sonia Phythian presents the Armed Forces Covenant and ERS Bronze Award certificates to Peter Carmichael of Carmichael and Baxter Industrial Services.
Air Commodore Sonia Phythian and George Burns of GBSS Civil Engineering Limited signing the Armed Forces Covenant.
Air Commodore Sonia Phythian presents the Armed Forces Covenant and ERS Bronze Award certificates to Fiona McLellan of The House of Bruar.
Air Commodore Phythian said: “Today you will formally receive your Armed Forces Covenant certificates and also your Bronze Awards. Thank you for inviting me to share with you this momentous occasion, an occasion that will become part of your companies’ history and give you a story to tell.
“It is also, hopefully, a stepping stone on your journey to the Employer Recognition Scheme Silver and Gold Awards. I am delighted we have some Silver and Gold Award winners with us today, and I know 18 new Silver Awards were presented just last week to companies in the Highland RFCA area.
“The Armed Forces Covenant was established in 2011. I have seen for myself the wonderful difference the Covenant has made, and is making. More than 13,000 organisations across the UK have now signed up to this declaration.
“The Ministry of Defence and our Armed Forces are deeply grateful for the support that you, the employers, provide – particularly with regards to your members of staff who are also Reservists.
“Without supportive employers, these women and men simply could not deliver their military commitment to defend and support the nation in times of need. We thank you for the work you do on our behalf.”
Events were rounded off with the awarding of a Gold Award revalidation to Aberdeen-based Wood PLC. Gold Awards are valid for five years before being reviewed for revalidation.
To achieve Gold, employers must go above and beyond in their support for the Armed Forces family in terms of additional paid leave, supportive networks, recruitment and HR policies. These apply not only to serving personnel, but also to Veterans and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
Air Commodore Sonia Phythian presents the Gold Award revalidation to Ally McLeod of Wood PLC.
Air Commodore Phythian said: “Wood employs over 6,000 people in the UK and over 35,000 worldwide. They are global leaders in consulting and engineering across the energy and materials market. In 2022, Wood was ranked in the Top Three engineering firms in Oil & Gas, Refining & Petrochemicals, and Chemicals & Mining.
“Equally impressive is their continued engagement with the team at Highland Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association, including being the first Chair of the Highland Gold Network, and their visible advocacy for Defence. They are tremendous allies and I am delighted to award them their Gold Award revalidation.”
Other organisations represented at the event included: 2020 Recruitment, Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, The Gordon Lennox Estate Company Ltd, and the Knights Templar Goodwill Charity of Scotland. All of those organisations have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and, between them, hold two ERS Silver Awards and a Bronze Award.
Hosting was provided by Highland RFCA, the Royal Naval Reserve, Army Reserve, Royal Air Force and East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron.
Armed Forces Covenant, ERS Bronze Award and ERS Gold Award revalidation recipients with Air Commodore Phythian outside the Officers’ Mess at Edinburgh Castle.
