July 10, 2015
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Cadets from the 1st Battalion The Highlanders Army Cadet Force took part in Inverness’ Armed Forces Day Parade.
The parade set off from Falcon Square on July 4th led by the Massed Pipes & Drums that also consisted of the battalion’s own band led by Cadet Drum Major Saul Bruce (17), Inverness Detachment, who was lead Drum Major.
Marching in the parade were members of the Royal British Legion Scotland Colour Party, The Royal Navy, The Black Watch 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 Scots), C Company 51st Highland 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 Scots), Veteran Regimental Associations, Sea Cadet Corps, Air Training Corps and Cadets from 1st Battalion the Highlanders ACF’s Inverness and Moray Companies led by Inverness Company Commander, Major Kevin Reid.
The parade marched through the City of Inverness over the River Ness and past Ness Walk where a salute was taken by the Lord Lieutenant of Inverness, Donald Cameron, Provost Alex Graham and Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin KCB CBE. Once the parade was halted at the Northern Meeting Park a short Drumhead Service was conducted by RBLS Padre Reverend Alistair Murray BD.
After the blessing, the Lord Lieutenant made four presentations, three of which were to members of 1 Highlanders ACF. One was made to former Honorary Colonel Roddy Wood who received a Veterans pin for his years of service to the RBLS and other organisations including the ACF. A presentation was also made to Tain Detachment Commander and Battalion Adjutant Captain Bart Lucas who was presented with the 4th Clasp to his Cadet Force Medal for 40 years of service to the ACF. The final presentation was to Drum Major Bruce who received his certificate of appointment as the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet of Inverness. As Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet of Inverness DM Bruce will be at events the Lord Lieutenant attends in his capacity as the Queens Representative of Inverness.
The service ended with a ‘feu de joie’ gun salute by members of 7 Scots and the British and US national anthems, as the parade coincided with US Independence Day. After the service the Cadets were able to look around the stalls at the Meeting Park and were treated to a Beat the Retreat courtesy of 1st Battalion.
