July Photo of the Month Contest

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 26th June 10, 03:49 PM

Cool, the Atholl Highlanders looking good... although I don't believe troops (even private armies) are allowed to parade with fixed bayonets. Comments, Jock Scot?

**Jock Scot** · 26th June 10, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

Cool, the Atholl Highlanders looking good... although I don't believe troops (even private armies) are allowed to parade with fixed bayonets. Comments, Jock Scot?

In certain circumstances a Regiment may march with bayonets fixed; when a Monarch is present being one, the other is when a Regiment(a county Regiment quite often) is given the honour of the "Freedom of a City" (Glasgow, Gloucester, Cardiff for example) then the Regiment has the right to march through the city with bayonets fixed. That right will not be available to those units without the "Freedom of the(particular) City".

No doubt The Atholl Highlanders have that right (perhaps in Perth?) , or they would not be doing it. Or, Queen Victoria(?) may have granted them the right to do so for some reason that I am unaware of. Make no mistake, it is a honour for a particular unit to be allowed to do so.

**macwilkin** · 28th June 10, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

In certain circumstances a Regiment may march with bayonets fixed; when a Monarch is present being one, the other is when a Regiment(a county Regiment quite often) is given the honour of the "Freedom of a City" (Glasgow, Gloucester, Cardiff for example) then the Regiment has the right to march through the city with bayonets fixed. That right will not be available to those units without the "Freedom of the(particular) City".

No doubt The Atholl Highlanders have that right (perhaps in Perth?) , or they would not be doing it. Or, Queen Victoria(?) may have granted them the right to do so for some reason that I am unaware of. Make no mistake, it is a honour for a particular unit to be allowed to do so.

To further Jock's comments, one regiment, the King's Own Scottish Borderers if I remember correctly, was given permission to march with bayonets fixed and colours flying through Edinburgh, on any day "save Sunday". The custom is a throwback to ancient Rome, if I remember correctly, when no Roman Legion was allowed to enter the eternal city for fear of a military coup.

T.

**Macman** · 27th June 10, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

Cool, the Atholl Highlanders looking good... although I don't believe troops (even private armies) are allowed to parade with fixed bayonets. Comments, Jock Scot?

To add another example to Jock's comments, Scott, the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) has been granted the freedom of the city of Victoria, and is allowed to parade "with colours flying and bayonets fixed".