Scottish troops set for relocation with high-readiness posting in Cyprus
During that time they have been able to 'put down roots' – building families and friendships, and continuing 'proud' Scottish traditions including the Highland games.
The new posting will see them relocate to the British Sovereign Base Area in Dhekelia, Cyprus, with the first flights scheduled for Saturday.
Once there the battalion will stand ready to respond at short notice to emerging situations across the Middle East and North Africa.
At the same time they will be tasked with supporting peacekeeping efforts and protecting key military infrastructure on the island.
Captain Craig Taylor, who has been with the battalion throughout its time at Bourlon Barracks, said the move will be a 'big change' for the troops.
'We've had 10 solid years of stability here in Catterick. It's been a place where soldiers could put down roots, raise families, and grow professionally,' he said.
'Moving to Cyprus will be a big change for us, not just in terms of the climate.
'This is an exciting opportunity that soldiers have been training hard for. It's not a short-term tour or exercise – it's a full overseas posting which gives us the chance to experience new cultures and ways of life.
Despite being more than 2,000 miles from Scotland, the troops will maintain traditions including holding a Highland games (Sergeant Donald Todd/MoD Crown Copyright/PA)
'Professionally, it sharpens our edge. We'll be held at high readiness to deploy anywhere in the region, and beyond which is of real strategic importance to the UK.'
It is not the first overseas posting for the battalion, which has been involved in operations in the likes of Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo since its formation in 2006.
Closer to home, 4 SCOTS also provided security support for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, provided emergency aid during the 2018 Saddleworth Moor wildfires, and took part in the national Covid-19 response.
Despite being more than 2,000 miles from Scotland, the battalion intends to take its traditions with it, with events including regimental competitions and Burns Night celebrations remaining 'firm fixtures' in the calendar.
Capt Taylor added: 'We're proud of everything we've achieved here.
'But now it's time to pack up, push forward, and embed our Scottish identity into a new location.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I spent the night in the UK's biggest National Park with both stargazing and Northern Light spotting
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AS I gaze upwards, my eyes are greeted by dozens of brilliant white stars glittering across the deep blue midnight sky. Welcome to Cairngorms National Park, the largest in the UK and one of the best places in the world to stargaze. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Explore the Cairngorms National Park Credit: Getty 4 Make a luxury self-catering bothy — a Scottish hut — home for a few days Credit: Supplied My mum and I had escaped to the Highlands for a weekend break to immerse ourselves in nature — and with a sky like this on our doorstep, it wasn't hard to do. That's the real standout of a holiday home at Cairngorm Bothies, its location. And a luxury self-catering bothy — a Scottish hut — was my home for the next few days. As well as a cosy interior, it featured a large decking area so we could soak up the sky at all hours. When I checked in, staff member Sarah told me to look north if I wanted to see the Northern Lights. Sadly they didn't make an appearance that night, but during the winter months, you're more likely to see them than not in these parts. Luckily, any disappointment was eased by the roaring log burner and plump sofa, which were beckoning from within our cosy retreat. While a bothy is typically a very basic shelter used by outdoor enthusiasts, the bothies here are a little fancier. From the outside, our two-person bothy looked a little like Hagrid's Hut in the Harry Potter films. Inside, however, it was kitted out with tartan furnishings and a snug bedroom, which had just enough space for a double bed. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival When you're not getting cosy by the fire or soaking up the endless stars, there's plenty else to get stuck into in the surrounding area. Hiking is hugely popular, with the Cairngorms home to hundreds of trails suitable for all abilities. If you're not much of a rambler, head to the Victorian village of Ballater, a short drive away, which is filled with boutique shops. Ballater is also home to the Old Royal Station, once used by visitors to Balmoral Castle, as it was the closest station to the Royal Family's summer residence. Queen Victoria While the station closed to passengers in 1966, it has acted as a hub for tourism in the years since. Inside you'll find a tourist information centre, a tea room that would not look out of place in an Agatha Christie novel, and a replica of a rail carriage used by Queen Victoria. After glimpsing royal life, we drove the ten minutes to Balmoral Castle where we could soak up even more of the royals. The castle wasn't open to the public when we were there, so Mum and I enjoyed a leisurely walk around the majestic lawns. With no sign of any royals, we felt like we had the whole grounds to ourselves. When it comes to filling your belly, this region isn't short of pubs serving slap-up Scottish food. 4 Ballater is fit for a queen Credit: Getty 4 The Sun's Hope Brotherton at Balmoral Castle Credit: Supplied Farquharsons Bar and Kitchen in nearby Braemar was one of our favourite evening spots, with a roaring fire at its centre and quaint garden out the back. Expect hearty plates of bangers and mash, which we washed down with a pint of Tennent's, a local lager made with Scottish barley and water from Loch Katrine. For something a little lighter, The Bothy tea room back in the village of Ballater serves proper sarnies crammed with meat as well as jacket spuds and some of the most delicate homebaked cakes I've ever seen. Or you can pick up something from the supermarket to cook back at your bothy. After all, the views do make it hard to leave. We definitely came home with stars in our eyes.
Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
The 7 European tourist hotspots taking action against 'drunken' British tourists
Several European hotpots for tourists are now starting to crack down on drunken Brits - implementing strict rules for UK tourists heading on holiday. Many of Europe's favourite stag do destinations saw a welcome pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the return of harsh-partying British tourists has upset some. In response, several cities are stepping up efforts to clamp down on disruptive behaviour, caused by Brits. Tour guide Daniel Seres in Hungary's Budapest, one of the most popular budget destinations, stated: "The bachelor parties dropped off sharply during Covid and now they are picking up again." Speaking to The Telegraph, he continued: "We need the income from tourists, but these big party groups only go on the free guided city tours [rather than paid], and they keep locals awake as they sing, stumble around and are sick on the streets." Daniel said that the disruption affects the elderly residents, who are still living in the busy tourist locations, the Express reports. In 2017, the city took measures to crack down on the drunken behaviour by banning the pedal-powered "beer bikes" due to safety and disturbance concerns. In 2020, authorities moved to restrict activity in the city's red light district and by 2023, District VII increased fines for late-night shouting and public urination, leaflets were handed out at the airport - written in English - warning tourists of the penalties. That same year, venues were also granted the right to decline bookings from large groups. But Budapest is far from alone in the crackdown, with many more European destinations following suit. Here are six more European hotspots that are taking a stand against these badly behaved tourists. Amsterdam In 2023, Amsterdam took decisive action to curb badly behaved tourists by banning boozy guided tours and cannabis smoking in the streets of its infamous Red Light District. In the same year, the Dutch capital launched its "Stay Away" digital campaign, specifically targeting young British men with warnings about fines and arrests. Restrictions were also introduced on short-term rentals and alcohol sales during specific hours. Barcelona The Spanish city has cut down on undesirable tourists by implementing strict rules regarding noise, as well as giving out behaviour fines, cracking down on unlicensed party promoters and short-term rental properties. Barcelona have also put strict restrictions on drinking in public. Prague The iconic Czech capital has taken a firm stance against party tourism by banning "beer bikes," boosting police presence in popular areas and discouraging promotions tied to sex tourism and stag related actives. Krakow The polish hotspot of Krakow has imposed strict regulations on advertising for strip clubs and "gentlemen's entertainment", as well as discussing tighter controls on alcohol sales. Some venues have also restricted smoking inside, designing smoking areas to reduce disruption. Lisbon Portugal's capital has cracked down on short-term rentals, especially in nightlife-heavy areas like Bairro Alto and Alfama, and has increased police patrols during the weekend, to maintain public order. Dublin Hotels and venues in Dublin are increasingly declining bookings from stag and hen parties. The city has also launched targeted campaigns promoting 'cultural' tourism over alcohol centred trips. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Scotsman
Dog-friendly travel on the rise: Scotland's hotspots revealed
Over three quarters (76%) of dog owners shared that they always travel with their pet and over four fifths (85%) were happy to travel more than two hours to the right dog-friendly accommodation. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... With this in mind, the experts at Kent motorhome company, Choose Leisure, have uncovered the best counties in Scotland for dog-friendly motorhome holidays. To do so, they combined the number of pet-friendly motorhome sites, average nightly prices and user ratings to reveal an overall rating for each county. Choose Leisure commented: 'More owners than ever are prioritising pet-friendly getaways, and we've seen a real shift toward holidays that allow the whole family, including furry friends, to explore Scotland together. Motorhome travel offers a practical and flexible solution, giving dog owners the freedom to travel comfortably without compromising on their pets' needs.' Top 10 Scottish Counties for dog-friendly getaways: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Whether you're planning a Highlands hike, a seaside escape, or a relaxed countryside break, these Scottish counties offer the best-rated motorhome holidays for you and your four-legged companion. Rank County Number of Sites Average Median Price Average Rating (/10) 1 Lothian 5 £86.00 9.54 2 Caithness 5 £70.00 9.52 3 Scottish Borders 5 £80.00 9.34 4 Perthshire 14 £119.75 9.24 5 Argyll 11 £80.00 9.03 6 Berwickshire 6 £55.00 8.97 7 Ayrshire 10 £59.50 8.96 8 Aberdeenshire 5 £56.00 8.82 9 Dumfries and Galloway 33 £65.00 8.45 10 Stirlingshire 14 £96.40 7.82 With an outstanding average rating of 9.54/10, Lothian takes the crown as Scotland's top destination for dog-friendly motorhome holidays. Boasting five highly rated sites, its combination of city convenience and scenic escapes, ranging from Arthur's Seat to coastal paths, makes it an ideal choice for pet-loving road-trippers. Caithness follows closely in second place with an impressive 9.52 rating and average median price of £70 a night. Located in the far north of the country, it's perfect for dogs that love remote beaches, dramatic cliffs, and quiet landscapes. In third place, the Scottish Borders offers a peaceful mix of rolling countryside, forest trails, and historic sites, earning an average rating of 9.34 across five pet-welcoming motorhome locations. It's an accessible retreat for dog owners seeking relaxation without venturing too far from the Central Belt. Choose Leisure, have uncovered the best counties in Scotland for dog-friendly motorhome holidays. Perthshire, known for its rich woodlands and scenic lochs, claims fourth place with 14 dog-friendly sites, the highest in the top five. With a strong rating of 9.24, it offers variety and luxury, albeit at a higher average median cost of £119.75 per night it is perfect for those looking to splurge on a well-appointed rural getaway. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rounding out the top five is Argyll, where 11 sites offer a combined average of 9.03/10 at £80 per night on average. From loch-side walks to island day trips, it's a haven for adventurous pups and their owners. Stirlingshire completes the top 10, offering central access and natural beauty, with a more modest rating of 7.82 across 14 locations. Whether you're planning a Highlands hike, a seaside escape, or a relaxed countryside break, these Scottish counties offer the best-rated motorhome holidays for you and your four-legged companion. Deepak Shukla, the CEO of Pets Let's Travel, a pet transport service, commented: 'To prevent driving distractions, make sure your dog has a secure place inside the car. For safety, use harnesses or dog seat belts, and remember to make frequent stops for playtime and toilet breaks to keep your dog from getting cabin fever. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Search for campgrounds that allow pets and save a list of nearby emergency veterinarians. Packing for a dog-friendly holiday is an art. Take the essentials with them such as their food, toys, and vet records but bringing a familiar bed or blanket will help them acclimate quickly to new environments. 'Above all, consider your dog's comfort level. Dog holidays give them mental stimulation to new sights and smells. This will often settle anxiety and stress. Good quality time spent together will strengthen your bond and it's a rewarding experience seeing your dog settle in new environments.'
