June 26, 2023
/
A Royal Gun Salute was fired at Stirling Castle on 17 June in honour of the birthday of His Majesty The King.
The Reviewing Officer was Mr Alan Simpson OBE, the Lord-Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk. The event at Stirling was one of many Royal Gun Salutes fired across the nation to mark the occasion.
Guests (pictured at top of page) included the Provosts of Stirling, Falkirk, and Clackmannanshire and representatives from Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) signatory and Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze holder Dundee and Angus College, AFC signatory and ERS Gold holder Fife Chamber of Commerce, AFC signatory and ERS Silver holder Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, AFC signatory and ERS Silver holder Forth Valley College, AFC signatory and ERS Silver holder The Arpine Group, Dunblane Centre, Queen Victoria School (including CCF), Volunteer Scotland, and 867 (Denny) Squadron of the RAF Air Cadets.
The 21-Gun Salute was fired at noon, with the pre-Salute reception and subsequent buffet lunch taking place in the newly-refurbished Regimental Museum of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Museum. Catering was provided by Perth-based Hazelnuts Catering, an Armed Forces Covenant signatory and Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award holder.
Guests were welcomed by HRFCA Chief Executive Brigadier Mark Dodson and briefed on the historical significance of the Salute by Battery Commander Major Lee Patchell of 105 Regiment Royal Artillery. Guests then moved to the Middle Square area of the Castle to watch the Salute being fired by a Troop from Newcastle-based 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. The Troop was commanded by Captain Ross Beeby.
Music was provided by the Regimental Band of The Black Watch Battalion ACF, and Pipe Major Lexine McCappin from Dunblane’s Queen Victoria School.
Following lunch, the Lord-Lieutenant presented certificates to his two new Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets for 23/24. They were Flight Sergeant Thomas Scott of 867 (Denny) Squadron of the RAF Air Cadets, and Cadet Sergeant Major Alicia Bullock of Queen Victoria School CCF.
The period of their appointment runs for a year from Armed Forces Day, June 24. Each of the cadets will assist the Lord-Lieutenant, helping him carry out his official duties in the Stirling and Falkirk lieutenancy.
⚫️ To read more about the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets in the HRFCA area for 2023/24, click HERE.
