Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) is a regiment of the British Army's Royal Armoured Corps. Formed at Holyrood, Edinburgh, on 2 July 1971 through the amalgamation of the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) and the Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons), it combines the traditions of several historic cavalry formations. Through the Royal Scots Greys, the regiment traces a lineage to the oldest surviving Cavalry Regiment of the Line in the British Army and carries a large inheritance of battle honours from campaigns extending from the eighteenth century to the Iraq War. The regiment is the senior Scottish regiment in the British Army. Its historical identity is expressed through the eagle-and-carbine cap badge, the yellow vandyke cap band associated with the Royal Scots Greys, Royal Stewart tartan worn by its pipers, and traditions connected with the French Imperial Eagle captured at Waterloo. Its motto, “Nemo Me Impune Lacessit” (“No one provokes me with impunity”), is shared with the Order of the Thistle; the regiment also uses “Second to None.” Other customs commemorate the Royal Scots Greys' association with the Russian imperial family, including the playing of the Imperial Russian Anthem at certain formal occasions. After its formation, the regiment undertook repeated security tours in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. It later served in the 1991 Gulf War, Bosnia with the NATO-led Stabilisation Force, Kosovo with KFOR, Iraq during Operation Telic, and Afghanistan. In the 2003 Iraq campaign, its tanks participated in the advance toward Basra. A detachment of Challenger 2 tanks also fought a major engagement south of Basra in which British forces reported destroying fourteen Iraqi tanks without losing one of their own in the exchange. The regiment returned to Iraq in 2006 and 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2008, 2011 and 2013–14. The regiment became the British Army's first Challenger 2-equipped regiment in 1998. Army restructuring subsequently changed its role: in November 2013 it converted from an armoured formation to light cavalry, operating Jackal protected mobility and reconnaissance vehicles. It moved to Leuchars Station in 2015 and became part of the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade under the Future Soldier reorganisation in 2022. Its deployments since then have included United Nations peacekeeping in Cyprus, NATO enhanced forward presence duties in Poland, domestic support to public services during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Operation Newcombe in Mali. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards maintains a strong ceremonial and musical profile. Its Pipes and Drums, established in 1946, have performed internationally and at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. A recording of “Amazing Grace” became an international commercial success in 1972, while the later album Spirit of the Glen, recorded during the regiment's operational period in Iraq, won Album of the Year at the 2009 Classical BRIT Awards. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum, opened at Edinburgh Castle in 2006, preserves the regiment's uniforms, weapons, medals, music and historical artefacts. The regiment is paired with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry, an Army Reserve light cavalry unit.

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards was created on 2 July 1971 at Holyrood, Edinburgh, by merging the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards) with the Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons). The 3rd Carabiniers themselves represented an earlier 1922 merger of the 3rd Dragoon Guards and the 6th Dragoon Guards, also known as the Carabiniers. The new regiment therefore inherited the histories, battle honours, customs and ceremonial distinctions of several long-serving cavalry units. Its first operational commitments came during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The regiment conducted tours in 1972, 1974, 1976 and 1980. In 1972 Trooper Ian Hunter Caie was killed when a bomb concealed in a beer barrel exploded near his Ferret scout car at Moybane, close to Crossmaglen. The regiment subsequently served in the 1991 Gulf War with a force of Challenger tanks. It joined the NATO Stabilisation Force in Bosnia in 1996–97 and deployed to Kosovo with KFOR in 2000. The regiment took part in Operation Telic during the 2003 Iraq invasion. Most of the unit deployed as the Scots Dragoon Guards Battle Group, while A Squadron was attached to the Black Watch Battle Group. The deployed elements advanced toward Basra. A Squadron fought around Az Zubayr, and C Squadron operated with 3 Commando Brigade south of Basra. That action included a major tank engagement in which fourteen Challenger 2 vehicles engaged and destroyed fourteen Iraqi tanks, as reported in the regiment's historical account. Further Iraq deployments occurred in 2006 and 2008, during which Lieutenant Richard Palmer and Corporal Gordon Pritchard were among the regiment's fatalities. The unit also served in Afghanistan in 2008, 2011 and 2013–14. The regiment became the first British Army formation to operate the Challenger 2 main battle tank in 1998. Its role changed significantly under Army 2020. In November 2013 it converted to light cavalry and adopted Jackal vehicles for reconnaissance and protected mobility missions. It moved from its previous base to Leuchars Station in summer 2015. During Queen Elizabeth II's visit on 29 September 2015, part of the station was designated Waterloo Lines in recognition of the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo. Later overseas responsibilities included a six-month United Nations peacekeeping deployment to Cyprus under Operation TOSCA 27 from September 2017. The regiment returned to Poland under Operation CABRIT in 2019 and 2020, contributing separate six-month contingents to NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup. During the COVID-19 pandemic, personnel supported the NHS and local authorities through Operation RESCRIPT. In 2022, the regiment transferred to the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade as part of the Future Soldier changes and deployed to Mali under Operation Newcombe. Regimental culture remains prominent. The Pipes and Drums were established in 1946 and have performed at military tattoos, concerts and competitions. Their recording of Amazing Grace became an international hit in 1972. The later album Spirit of the Glen was released in 2007, featuring a new arrangement of the song and orchestral collaboration; it received the 2009 Classical BRIT award for Album of the Year. The regimental museum at Edinburgh Castle opened in 2006 and displays uniforms, medals, weapons, music and the Imperial Eagle captured at Waterloo by Sergeant Charles Ewart of the Royal Scots Greys. The regiment's current organisation includes Regimental Headquarters at Edinburgh Castle, an Armoured Regiment Headquarters, Headquarters Squadron, A Squadron, B Squadron, C Squadron and the Pipes and Drums. It is affiliated with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry and has overseas alliances with the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers of Australia, The Windsor Regiment of Canada and the Ingobamakhosi Carbineers of South Africa.

1. 2022Transfer to 7th Light Mechanised Brigade

   The regiment joined the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade under the Future Soldier reorganisation.

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2. 2013Conversion to light cavalry

   The regiment changed from an armoured role to a light cavalry role under Army 2020 restructuring.

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3. 2006Regimental museum opens

   The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum opened at Edinburgh Castle.

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4. 1998First Challenger 2 regiment

   It became the first British Army regiment equipped with the Challenger 2 main battle tank.

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5. 1991Gulf War deployment

   The regiment deployed with 57 Challenger tanks during the Gulf War.

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6. 1971Formation of the regiment

   The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards was formed at Holyrood, Edinburgh, through the amalgamation of the 3rd Carabiniers and the Royal Scots Greys.

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A Scottish senior cavalry regiment combining operational reconnaissance, protected mobility, ceremonial representation and the inherited traditions of the Royal Scots Greys and the 3rd Carabiniers.

• Jackal light cavalry capabilityMilitary capability2013

  Since its conversion under Army 2020, the regiment has operated as a light cavalry formation equipped with Jackal vehicles. The role centres on reconnaissance, surveillance, security and protected mobility rather than the heavy armoured battle-tank mission it previously performed with Challenger 2. Jackal vehicles support the regiment's expeditionary deployments and NATO-facing activities.

• Pipes and DrumsCeremonial and musical unit1946

  The Pipes and Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards were established in 1946 and perform at military ceremonies, public concerts, competitions and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Their recordings, particularly Amazing Grace and Spirit of the Glen, have made the unit one of the regiment's most visible public-facing institutions.

• Royal Scots Dragoon Guards MuseumMilitary museum2006

  Located at Edinburgh Castle, the museum presents the regiment's lineage and service history through uniforms, medals, weapons, regalia, music and historic artefacts. A central object is the French Imperial Eagle captured at Waterloo by Sergeant Charles Ewart of the Royal Scots Greys.

• 2022Operation Newcombe

  Mali

  Following its transfer to the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade, the regiment deployed to Mali.

  Outcome. The deployment formed part of the United Kingdom's military activity in support of international operations in Mali.

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• 2020Operation RESCRIPT

  United Kingdom

  During the COVID-19 pandemic, personnel assisted the NHS and local authorities across the United Kingdom.

  Outcome. The regiment provided domestic military assistance during the national pandemic response.

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• 2019Operation CABRIT

  Poland

  Regimental contingents supported NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence in Poland during two separate six-month deployments in 2019 and 2020.

  Outcome. The deployments strengthened NATO's eastern-flank presence and interoperability with allied forces.

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• 2017Operation TOSCA 27

  Cyprus

  The regiment conducted a six-month United Nations peacekeeping deployment in Cyprus.

  Outcome. The unit completed its peacekeeping rotation under the United Nations mission.

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• 2003Operation Telic

  Iraq

  The regiment advanced toward Basra during the invasion of Iraq, with elements operating alongside the Black Watch and 3 Commando Brigade.

  Outcome. The operation included a major tank engagement south of Basra and the capture of territory around Az Zubayr and Basra.

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• 1991Operation Granby

  Kuwait · Iraq

  The regiment deployed Challenger tanks during the Gulf War.

  Outcome. The deployment contributed to coalition armoured operations against Iraqi forces.

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• 1972Northern Ireland security tour

  Northern Ireland

  The regiment began a series of deployments in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, conducting security duties and patrols.

  Outcome. The regiment completed the tour but suffered the death of Trooper Ian Hunter Caie in a bomb attack.

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• 2013Conversion from armoured regiment to light cavalryStrategy

  Army 2020 restructuring changed the British Army's force structure and assigned the regiment a lighter reconnaissance role.

  What changed. The regiment relinquished its heavy armoured role and adopted Jackal vehicles for light cavalry operations.

  Aftermath. The regiment moved to Leuchars Station in 2015 and later joined the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade.

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• 1998Adoption of Challenger 2Other

  The British Army introduced the Challenger 2 main battle tank as a newer generation of armoured capability.

  What changed. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards became the first British Army regiment to operate Challenger 2.

  Aftermath. The regiment used the platform in its armoured role, including during later operations in Iraq.

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• 2022Future Soldier places regiment in 7th Light Mechanised Brigade

  The regiment transferred to the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade during the British Army's Future Soldier reorganisation and subsequently deployed to Mali.

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• 2019Regiment supports NATO presence in Poland

  The regiment conducted a six-month Operation CABRIT deployment to Poland as part of the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup.

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• 2015Royal Scots Dragoon Guards move to Leuchars Station

  The regiment relocated to Leuchars Station, where the northern part of the camp was named Waterloo Lines during a visit by Queen Elizabeth II.

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• 2013Regiment changes to light cavalry role

  Under Army 2020 restructuring, the regiment moved from an armoured role to light cavalry operations using Jackal vehicles.

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• 2009Spirit of the Glen wins Classical BRIT award

  The regiment's pipes and drums won Album of the Year for Spirit of the Glen, recorded while the regiment was serving in Iraq.

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• 1998Royal Scots Dragoon Guards become first Challenger 2 regiment

  The regiment became the first British Army unit to operate the Challenger 2 main battle tank.

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• 1991Regiment deploys to the Gulf War

  The regiment deployed with 57 Challenger tanks during the Gulf War.

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• 1971Royal Scots Dragoon Guards formed through regimental amalgamation

  The 3rd Carabiniers and Royal Scots Greys were combined at Holyrood, Edinburgh, creating the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

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1. Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
2. Royal Scots Dragoon Guards – British Army