Scots Guards

{{main|History of the Scots Guards (1642–1804)}}

The regiment now known as the Scots Guards traces its origins to the Marquis of Argyll's Royal Regiment, a unit raised in 1642 by Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquess of Argyll in response to the 1641 Irish Rebellion.{{cite web|url=http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishinfantry/scotsguards.htm|title=Scots Guards|publisher=British Empire|access-date=27 April 2014}} After the Restoration of Charles II, the Earl of Linlithgow received a commission dated 23 November 1660 to raise a regiment which was called The Scottish Regiment of Footguards.{{sfn|Dalton|1896|p=3}}

It served in the 1679 Covenanter rising of 1679, as well as Argyll's Rising in June 1685, after which it was expanded to two battalions.{{sfn|Dalton|1896|p=51}} When the Nine Years War began in 1689, the first battalion was sent to Flanders; the second served in Ireland, and fought at the 1690 Battle of the Boyne, before joining the First in 1691.{{sfn|Dalton|1896|p=85}} The combined unit fought at Steenkerque and Landen, as well as the 1695 Namur. After the Treaty of Ryswick in 1697, the regiment returned to Scotland.{{sfn|Folker}}

File:William-Hogarth-The-March-of-the-Guards-to-Finchley-1750-©-The-Foundling-Museum.jpg by William Hogarth; defending London during the Jacobite rising of 1745]]

The Guards remained in Scotland during the War of the Spanish Succession; retitled The Third Regiment of Foot Guards, it moved to London in 1712, and did not return to Scotland for another 100 years. During the 1740-1748 War of the Austrian Succession, the First Battalion served at Dettingen in 1743 and Fontenoy in April 1745, a British defeat famous for the Gardes françaises and Grenadier Guards inviting each other to fire first.{{sfn|McKinnon|1883|p=368}}

Both battalions were in London during the 1745 Rising; an engraving by William Hogarth shows them marching to take up defensive positions in North London. However, the Jacobite army turned back at Derby, and in July 1747, the Second Battalion was sent to Flanders, where it fought at Lauffeld, before the war ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.{{sfn|Scots Guards History}}

In the absence of a modern police force, the military was often used for crowd control; in Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, William Hickey describes a detachment from the "Third Regiment of Guards, principally Scotchmen" dispersing a crowd attempting to release the radical politician, John Wilkes from prison in 1768.{{sfn|Hickey |1995|pp=53–55}}

{{main|History of the Scots Guards (1805–1913)}}

File:Colonel Cubieres unhorsed.jpg at Hougoumont Farm, June 1815{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsguards.co.uk/history1.htm|title=Scots Guards|website=www.scotsguards.co.uk|access-date=2018-09-02}}]]

In April 1809, the 1st Battalion was sent to the Iberian Peninsula, and served in the Peninsular War in Portugal and Spain. It took part in the crossing of the River Douro on 12 May, an operation that ended so successfully that the French Army were in full retreat to Amarante after the actions in Oporto and its surrounding areas. In late July 1809 the regiment took part in the Battle of Talavera, one of the bloodiest and most bitter of engagements during the war.

The 2nd Battalion's flank companies took part in the disastrous Walcheren Campaign in the Low Countries. The 1st Battalion went on to take part in the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro in May 1811, the Battle of Salamanca in July 1812, the Siege of San Sebastián in Summer 1813 and the Battle of the Nive in December 1813.

At the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815, the Scots Guards were positioned on the ridge just behind Hougoumont. Their light companies, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel James Macdonnell, held Hougoumont Farm throughout the battle, a key defensive position on the right flank of the Allied army.{{sfn|Longford |1971|p=450}}

File:Scots Guards drummer, piper, bugler and bandsman, around 1891.jpg

{{main|History of the Scots Guards (1914–1945)}}

The 1st Battalion, part of the 1st (Guards) Brigade of the 1st Division, was part of the British Expeditionary Force which arrived in France in 1914. The Battalion took part in the Battle of Mons in August 1914, the First Battle of the Marne in September 1914 and the Battle of the Aisne also in September 1914. The 1st and 2nd Battalions then took part in the First Battle of Ypres in November 1914, the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915 and the Battle of Loos in September 1915. In July 1916 the Scots Guards took part in the first Battle of the Somme and in July 1917, the regiment began its involvement in the Battle of Passchendaele. In March 1918 they fought at the second Battle of the Somme and in Autumn the regiment took part in the final battles of the war on the Western Front.{{cite web|url=http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/scotsguards1-gw.php|title=The Wartime Memories Project – The Great War|access-date=27 April 2014|archive-date=27 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427170625/http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/scotsguards1-gw.php|url-status=dead}}

In April 1940, the 1st Battalion, as part of the 24th Guards Brigade, took part in its first campaign of the war, during the expedition to Norway.

In North Africa, as part of the 22nd Guards Brigade, the 2nd Battalion took part in fighting against the Italians in Egypt followed by tough fighting in Libya, then also controlled by Italy. In North Africa, in March 1943, the 2nd Battalion took part in the defensive Battle of Medenine, after the Germans had counter-attacked the Allies.{{cite web|url=http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/ww2/middle_east/qme020.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422091038/http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/ww2/middle_east/qme020.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 April 2016|title=The Battle Of Medenine|publisher=Queen's Royal Surreys (Archived)|access-date=6 February 2020}}

In September 1943, the 2nd Battalion, as part of the 201st Guards Brigade of the 56th (London) Division, took part in the Landing at Salerno. In December 1943, the 1st Battalion, as part of 24th Guards Brigade, arrived in the Italian Theatre. At the Battle of Monte Cassino in early 1944, the 2nd Battalion suffered heavy casualties in tough fighting.{{cite web|url=http://www.blueredblue.org/scots-guards-jobs.php|title=The Scots Guards – Ex Servicemen Recruitment|access-date=27 April 2014}}

The 1st Battalion, as part of its brigade, joined the 6th South African Armoured Division in May 1944. The regiment took part in many fierce engagements throughout 1944, including those against the Gothic Line, a formidable defensive line.{{cite web|url=http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=4401|title=6th South African Armoured Division|access-date=27 April 2014}}

{{main|History of the Scots Guards (1946–present)}}

In the years following the Second World War the Scots Guards saw action in a number of Britain's colonial wars. In 1948, the 2nd Battalion of the Scots Guards was deployed to Malaya (now part of Malaysia) to crush a Communist-inspired and pro-independence uprising during a conflict known as the Malayan Emergency. The 2nd Battalion performed a variety of duties, such as guarding duties, patrols into the dense jungle, and assaults upon MNLA guerrillas. The battalion was involved in an incident known as the Batang Kali massacre, in which they were responsible for the execution of 24 unarmed civilians.{{Cite news|last=Townsend|first=Mark|date=6 May 2012|title=Revealed: how Britain tried to legitimise Batang Kali massacre|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/06/britain-batang-kali-massacre-malaysia|access-date=27 September 2021}}{{Cite web|date=2020-12-11|title=Britain's My Lai? Remembering the Batang Kali massacre in Malaysia|url=https://southeastasiaglobe.com/remembering-the-batang-kali-massacre/|access-date=2021-03-08|website=Southeast Asia Globe|language=en-US}} By the time the battalion left Malaya in 1951 and returned home, it had lost thirteen soldiers.{{cite web|url=http://www.roll-of-honour.com/EastLothian/Dunbar.html|title=Dunbar|publisher=Roll of Honour| access-date=7 June 2022}}

By late 1951, the 1st Battalion was deployed to Cyprus; and in February 1952, the battalion deployed to the Suez Canal Zone, Egypt. In February 1962, the 2nd Battalion arrived in Kenya, and operated in support of the civil power during the Mau Mau Uprising. In 1965 the 1st Battalion undertook two tours in Borneo during the Indonesian Confrontation.{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/scots-guards.html|title=Scots Guards|publisher=British army units 1945 on|access-date=7 June 2022}}

Both the 1st and 2nd Battalion deployed to Northern Ireland during the Troubles in the early 1970s.{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/scots-guards.html|title=Scots Guards|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|access-date=27 April 2014}} In 1992, during their time in Northern Ireland, the Scots Guards were involved in the contentious shooting of civilian Peter McBride: two soldiers were convicted of murder.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/teenager-shot-dead-troops-belfast-1549365.html|title=Teenager shot dead by troops in Belfast|date=23 October 2011|website=The Independent}}{{Cite web|date=2003-09-10|title=Roy Greenslade: Remember Peter McBride?|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/sep/10/northernireland.northernireland|access-date=2021-03-08|website=The Guardian|language=en}}

During the Falklands War in 1982 the main force of the Scots Guards began its advance on the western side of Mount Tumbledown. During the course of the battle in the early hours of 14 June 1982, men of the 2nd Battalion "wearing berets instead of helmets" launched a bayonet charge on the redoubtable Argentinian defenders, which resulted in bitter and bloody fighting, and was one of the last bayonet charges by the British Army.

In 2004, the 1st Battalion deployed to Iraq on a 6-month posting as part of 4th Armoured Brigade. The 4th Brigade relieved the 1st Mechanised Brigade, and joined the Multi-National Division (South East) that was under British command.

In 2021, the 1st Battalion moved to Somme Barracks, Catterick Garrison as part of the Army 2020 Refine reforms.{{Cite web|date=28 April 2021|title=Who's excited about moving to Catterick...?! The team in Erbil certainly are.|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2020/05/army-aviation-brigade/|access-date=22 May 2021|website=Scots Guards – Twitter}}{{Cite web|title=1st Battalion Scots Guards Awarded Medals For Work In Middle East|url=https://www.forces.net/?videoId=6273867080001|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Forces Network|language=en}}

On 1 May 2022 (delayed from the originally intended 1 April 2022), soldiers in A (The London Scottish) Company, the London Regiment transferred to foot guards regiments and the company became G (Messines) Company, Scots Guards, 1st Battalion London Guards.{{cite web|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f8ef9d3373bfe707607fcfa/t/62250c3b19ebc628ec12dd84/1646595132676/20220301-LRA_AGM_28Feb22_Minutes-FINAL-v1.0.pdf|title=Minutes of an Annual General Meeting of the London Regiment Association held on Monday 28 February 2022 at 100 hours at Battalion Headquarters of the London Regiment, 27 St John's Hill, London SW11 1TT}}{{cite web|url=https://www.grengds.com/uploads/files/IR_Letter_final-RLC.pdf|title=Letter From: Lieutenant General C R V Walker DSO, Regimental Lieutenant Colonel regarding the Integrated Review}}

File:A convoy of Warrior infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) patrolling near Musa Qala, Afghanistan. MOD 45149486.jpgs of the Scots Guards patrolling in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in 2008]]

File:Buckingham-palace-guard-11279634947G5ru.jpg]]

The Scots Guards and other Guards regiments have a long-standing connection to the Parachute Regiment. Guardsmen who have completed the P company selection course are transferred into the Guards Parachute Platoon, which is part of 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment. This continues the lineage of the No. 1 (Guards) Independent Parachute Company, who were the original Pathfinder Group of the 16th Parachute Brigade.{{cite web |url=http://www.paradata.org.uk/units/no-1-guards-independent-parachute-company |title=No 1 (Guards) Independent Parachute Company |publisher=ParaData |access-date=2014-04-26 |archive-date=21 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721141401/http://www.paradata.org.uk/units/no-1-guards-independent-parachute-company |url-status=dead }}

The Scots Guards is ranked as the third regiment in the Guards Division. As such, Scots Guardsmen can be recognized by having the buttons on their tunics spaced in threes. They also do not wear hackles (plumes) in their bearskins, unlike the other Foot Guards.File:Helles Barracks Parade Ground - geograph.org.uk - 1192460.jpg]]

Since 1993, F Company, permanently based in Wellington Barracks, London on public duties, has been the custodian of the colours and traditions of the 2nd Battalion, which was placed in permanent suspended animation in 1993 as a result of Options for Change.{{Cite news|title=Our Ceremonial Role|language=en-GB|work=Scots Guards|url=https://scotsguards.org/regiment/our-ceremonial-role/|access-date=2018-11-26}} F Company was formerly part of the 2nd Bn as its 'support weapons company', operating mortars, anti-tank weapons, and reconnaissance vehicles.{{Citation|title=Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 2022|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6XLgkRaCQs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/g6XLgkRaCQs |archive-date=2022-12-14 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-05-11}}{{cbignore}}

The regiment consists of a single operational battalion, which was based in Catterick between 2008 and 2015, thereafter moving to Aldershot in the armoured infantry role. 1st Battalion will be equipped with Mastiff Vehicles (and later the Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV)) under Army 2020 Refine and be under the first Strike Brigade. The 1st Battalion will not rotate public ceremonial duties unlike the other guards regiments with F Company performing that role.{{cite web|url=http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf|title=Regular Army basing matrix|access-date=27 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814181412/http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf|archive-date=14 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2016-12-15/HCWS367/ |title=Strategic Defence and Security Review - Army:Written statement - HCWS367 - UK Parliament |publisher=Parliament.uk |date=2016-12-15 |access-date=2017-08-27}}{{cite web | url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/756501/04550.pdf | title=Role of Scots Guards under Army 2020 model | publisher=Ministry of Defence, UK | date=25 April 2018 | access-date=23 November 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/632554/2017-02130.pdf|title=Response to FOI2017/02130 - Request for information related to Army 2020 Refine|last=Army Secretariat|date=10 March 2017|website=publishing.service.gov.uk|access-date=24 November 2018}}

Following the Integrated Review A (London Scottish) Company of the London Regiment at Rochester Row, Westminster became G (Messines) Company, Scots Guards.{{cite web|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f8ef9d3373bfe707607fcfa/t/62250c3b19ebc628ec12dd84/1646595132676/20220301-LRA_AGM_28Feb22_Minutes-FINAL-v1.0.pdf|title=Minutes of an Annual General Meeting of the London Regiment Association held on Monday 28 February 2022 at 19.00 hours at Battalion Headquarters of the London Regiment, 27 St John's Hill, London SW11 1TT}}

Regular Recruits to the Guards Division go through a thirty-week training programme at the Infantry Training Centre (ITC). The training is two weeks more than the training for the Regular line infantry regiments of the British Army; the extra training, carried out throughout the course, is devoted to drill and ceremonies.{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/training_education/24572.aspx |title=Combat Infantryman's Course – Foot Guards|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=27 April 2014}}

King Edward VII assumed the colonelcy-in-chief of the regiment on his accession,{{London Gazette

| issue = 27289

| date = 26 February 1901

| page = 1417

}} and subsequent monarchs have also been colonel-in-chief.{{cite web |year=1957 |title=Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - Colonel in chief of the seven regiments of the Household Brigade taking the salute outside Buckingham Palace after last year's Trooping the Colour Ceremony |url=https://www.abebooks.co.uk/Majesty-Queen-Elizabeth-Colonel-chief-seven/22858546575/bd |publisher=Gale & Polden |location=London}}

• 1901–1910: King Edward VII
• 1915–1936: King George V
• January 1936 – December 1936: King Edward VIII
• 1936–1952: King George VI
• 1952–2022: Queen Elizabeth II
• 2022–present: King Charles III

Regimental Colonels have included:

• 1664–1684: Major General George Livingston, 3rd Earl of LinlithgowCharles Dalton, [https://archive.org/details/scotsarmy166116800daltuoft/page/n179 The Scots Army 1661–1688] (1909) Part II, pp. 13–14.
• 1684–1691: Lieutenant General James Douglas{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JFc5AAAAMAAJ&q=James+Douglas+died+1691+namur&pg=PA65|title=Peerage of England: Genealogical, Biographical, and Historical|volume=8|page=65|first1= Arthur |last1=Collins|first2= Sir Egerton |last2=Brydges|publisher=F.C. and J. Rivington and others|year=1812}}
• 1691–1705: Lieutenant General George Ramsay
• 1707–1713: Lieutenant General William Kerr, 2nd Marquess of Lothian{{cite ODNB |last1=Handley |first1=Stuart |title=Kerr, William, second marquess of Lothian |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/15469 |year=2004 }}
• 1713–1752: General John Murray, 2nd Earl of Dunmore{{cite web|url=http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishinfantry/scotsguardscolonels.htm|title=Scots Guards Colonels|publisher=British Empire|access-date=1 May 2014}}
• 1752–1767: General John Leslie, 10th Earl of Rothes{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=9164|page=1|date=5–9 May 1752}}
• 1767–1770: Field Marshal Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=10796|page=3|date=5–9 January 1768}}
• 1770–1782: General John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=11039|page=1|date=1–5 May 1770}}
• 1782–1806: Field Marshal John Campbell, 5th Duke of Argyll{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=12294|page=4|date=7–11 May 1782}}
• 1806–1834: Field Marshal Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=15923|page=662|date=27–31 May 1806}}
• 1834–1836: General George Gordon, 5th Duke of Gordon{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=19220|page=2243|date=12 December 1834}}
• 1836–1842: General George Ludlow, 3rd Earl Ludlow{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=19389|page=1028|date=7 June 1836}}
• 1842–1852: Field Marshal Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=20094|page=1137|date=26 April 1842}}
• 1852–1861: Field Marshal Prince George, Duke of Cambridge{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=21362|page=2573|date=28 September 1852}}
• 1861–1870: Field Marshal Sir Alexander Woodford{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=22598|page=774|date=14 February 1862}}
• 1870–1875: General Sir John Aitchison{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=23658|page=4175|date=16 September 1870}}
• 1875–1883: General Henry Robinson-Montagu, 6th Baron Rokeby{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=24211|page=2774|date=25 May 1875}}
• May 1883–June 1883: General Sir William Knollys{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=25243|page=3145|date=19 June 1883}}
• 1883–1904: Field Marshal Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=25255|page=3821|date=31 July 1883}}
• 1904–1932: Field Marshal Paul Methuen, 3rd Baron Methuen{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=27672|supp=y|page=2837|date=2 May 1904}}
• 1932–1936: Field Marshal The Duke of York{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=33888|page=7665|date=2 December 1932}}
• 1937–1974: Field Marshal The Duke of Gloucester{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=34379|page=1642|date=12 March 1937}}
• 1974–2024: Field Marshal Prince Edward, Duke of Kent{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=46455|supp=y|page=206|date=7 January 1975}}
• 2024–present: Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh{{Cite tweet |number=1779253225780310463 |user=MajestyMagazine |title=The Duke of Kent, 88, in his 50th year as Colonel of the Scots Guards, is handing over the colonelcy of the regiment to the Duke of Edinburgh.}}{{cite news |last1=Furness |first1=Hannah |title=Duke of Kent to hand Prince Edward colonelcy of Scots Guards |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2024/04/13/duke-of-kent-hands-prince-edward-colonelcy-scots-guards/ |access-date=13 April 2024 |work=The Telegraph |date=13 April 2024}}

{{Incomplete list|date=June 2021}}

For many years a Colonel was given the full-time appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Commanding the regiment. After 1986 a Lieutenant Colonel was appointed, but in 1989 the role was retitled Regimental Lieutenant Colonel; this was an honorary appointment, filled by a senior serving officer who took on responsibility for the 'regimental affairs' of the regiment alongside his primary military role.{{cite book |last1=Naylor |first1=Murray |title=Among Friends: The Scots Guards 1956-1993 |date=1995 |publisher=Leo Cooper |location=London |page=218}}

The Regimental Lieutenant Colonels have included:{{cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/REGIMENTAL%20COs.pdf|title=Regiments and Commanding Officers, 1960 - Colin Mackie|page=39|accessdate=22 June 2021}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|

• 1662–1664: The Earl of Linlithgow
• 1664–1666: vacant
• 1666–1667: Sir James TurnerCharles Dalton, The Scots Army 1661–1688 (1909) Part II, p. 15.
• 1667–1677: The Earl of KellieCharles Dalton, The Scots Army 1661–1688 (1909) Part II, p. 17.
• 1677–1682: The Lord RossCharles Dalton, The Scots Army 1661–1688 (1909) Part II, p. 25.
• 1682–1687: John WinramCharles Dalton, The Scots Army 1661–1688 (1909) Part II, p. 28.
• 1687–1688: James MurrayCharles Dalton, The Scots Army 1661–1688 (1909) Part II, p. 148.
• 1688–1689: The Viscount of FrendraughtCharles Dalton, The Scots Army 1661–1688 (1909) Part II, p. 149.
• 1689–1694: James MaitlandCharles Dalton, English Army Lists and Commission Registers 1661–1714, vol. III (1896) p. 44.
• 1694–1695: George McGillCharles Dalton, English Army Lists and Commission Registers 1661–1714, vol. IV (1898) p. 21.
• 1695–1697: Robert MurrayCharles Dalton, English Army Lists and Commission Registers 1661–1714, vol. IV (1898) p. 69.
• 1697–1704: George MacartneyCharles Dalton, English Army Lists and Commission Registers 1661–1714, vol. IV (1898) p. 174.
• 1704–1710: Brig. Gen. The Earl of DalhousieCharles Dalton, English Army Lists and Commission Registers 1661–1714, vol. V (1902) p. 220.
• 1710–1717: Brig. Gen. John StewartCharles Dalton, English Army Lists and Commission Registers 1661–1714, vol. VI (1904) p. 59.
• 1717–1723: Brig. Gen. Lord William HayCharles Dalton, George the First's Army 1714–1727, vol. I (1910) p. 216.
• 1723–1743: Maj. Gen. James ScottCharles Dalton, George the First's Army 1714–1727, vol. II (1912) p. 273.
• 1743–1743: Col. Henry Skelton{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=8216|page=3|date=19–23 April 1743}}
• 1743–1744: Col. George Byng{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=8257|page=2|date=10–13 September 1743}}
• 1744– : Col. Rowland Reynolds{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=8348|page=3|date=24–28 July 1744}}
• 1747– : Col. James Stuart{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=8725|page=1|date=5–8 March 1747}}
• 1752–1756: Col. William Kingsley
• 1756–1758: Col. John Laurie{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=9590|page=2|date=8–12 June 1756}}
• 1758–1761: Maj. Gen. Andrew Robinson{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=9789|page=2|date=6–9 May 1758}}
• 1761–1768: Maj. Gen. John Gore
• 1768–1769: Col. Bernard Hale
• 1769–1770: Col. William Whitshed
• 1770–1775: Col. Michael Hudson{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=11042|page=3|date=12–15 May 1770}}
• 1775–1777: Col. Daniel Jones{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=11541|page=1|date=4–7 March 1775}}
• 1777–1782: Maj. Gen. William Wynyard{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=11795|page=1|date=9–12 August 1777}}
• 1782–1786: Maj. Gen. Sir George Osborn{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=12282|page=2|date=26–30 March 1782}}
• 1786–1791: Maj. Gen. Humphrey Stevens{{London Gazette|issue=12744|date=18–22 April 1786|page=167}}
• 1791–1793: Maj. Gen. Gustavus Guydickens{{London Gazette|issue=13343|date=13–17 September 1791|page=521}}
• 1793–1795: Maj. Gen. William Grinfield{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=13553|page=653|date=30 July – 3 August 1793}}{{sfn|Cannon|1842|p=67}}
• 1795–1802: Lt. Gen. Cavendish Lister{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=13765|page=294|date=31 March – 4 April 1795}}
• 1802–1806: Lt. Gen. Napier Christie Burton{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=15473|page=405|date=20–24 April 1802}}
• 1806–1814: Lt. Gen. George Milner{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=15882|page=77|date=18–21 January 1806}}
• 1814–1821: Col. George Hill{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=16925|page=1635|date=13 August 1814}}
• 1821–1825: Col. Henry Willoughby Rooke{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=17740|page=1740|date=25 August 1821}}
• 1825–1830: Col. John Clitherow{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=18180|page=1772|date=1 October 1825}}
• 1830–1836: Col. William Augustus Keate
• 1836–1837: Col. Edward Bowater
• 1837–1837: Col. Douglas Mercer
• 1837–1841: Col. John Aitchison
• 1841–1844: Col. William Henry Scott
• 1844–1850: Col. Berkeley Drummond
• 1850–1853: Col. William Thomas Knollys
• 1853–1854: Col. Henry Robert Colville
• 1854–1854: Col. The Lord Rokeby
• 1854–1858: Col. George Moncrieff
• 1858–1859: Col. Edward Walter Forestier-Walker
• 1859–1863: Col. William John Ridley
• 1863–1863: Col. Francis Seymour
• 1863–1864: Col. John Hamilton Elphinstone Dalrymple
• 1864–1868: Col. Sir Henry Percival de Bathe
• 1868–1874: Col. Frederick Arthur Charles Stephenson
• 1874–1874: Col. Henry Poole Hepburn
• 1874–1877: Col. The Lord Abinger
• 1877–1881: Col. Reginald Gipps
• 1881–1886: Col. George Hay Moncrieff{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=25096|page=1738|date=18 April 1882}}{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=25603|page=3093|date=29 June 1886}}
• 1886–1891: Col. Henry H. D. Stracey{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=25609|page=3507|date=20 July 1886}}{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=26176|page=3379|date=26 June 1891}}
• 1891–1895: Col. William Julius Gascoigne{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=26646|page=4160|date=23 July 1895}}
• 1895–1898: Col. Barrington B. D. Campbell{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=26652|page=4552|date=13 October 1895}}{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=26973|page=3389|date=31 May 1898}}
• 1898–1903: Col. Henry Fludyer{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=26973|page=3820|date=31 May 1898}}
• 1903–1905: Col. Inigo Richmund Jones{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=27563|page=3713|date=12 June 1903}}{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=27859|page=8647|date=1 December 1905}}
• 1905–1909: Col. Frederick W. Romilly{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=27841|page=6633|date=3 October 1905}}
• 1909–1913: Col. Gerald J. Cuthbert{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=28291|page=7122|date=24 September 1909}}
• 1913–1914: Col. Frederick James Heyworth{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=28765|page=7248|date=17 October 1913}}
• 1914–1916: Col. Henry Fludyer{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=28935|page=8132|date=13 October 1914}}
• 1916–1919: Col. James W. Smith-Neill{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=29505|supp=|page=2768|date=13 March 1916}}
• 1919–1920: Col. Lord E. C. Gordon-Lennox{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=31363|supp=2|page=6607|date=28 May 1919}}
• 1920–1923: Col. A. B. E. Cator{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=31872|supp=2|page=4660|date=20 April 1920}}{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=32897|page=376|date=11 January 1924}}
• 1923–1927: Col. G. C. B. Paynter{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=32887|page=8639|date=11 December 1923}}
• 1927–1931: Col. F. G. Alston{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=33336|page=7903|date=9 December 1927}}{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=33776|page=7740|date=1 December 1931}}
• 1931–1934: Col. E. C. T. Warner{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=33778|page=7907|date=8 December 1931}}
• 1934–1938: Brig. E. W. S. Balfour{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=34099|page=6788|date=26 October 1934}}{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=34562|page=6501|date=18 October 1938}}
• 1938–1939: Col. W. P. A. Bradshaw{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=34565|page=6690|date=28 October 1938}}
• 1939– : Col. E. W. S. Balfour

...

• 1959–1962: Col. The Earl Cathcart
• 1962–1964: Col. Adrian J. C. Seymour
• 1964–1967: Col. George P. M. Ramsay
• 1967–1970: Col. Archibald I. D. Fletcher
• 1970–1971: Col. John Swinton
• 1971–1974: Col. Sir Gregor MacGregor, 6th Baronet
• 1974–1978: Col. Murray P. de Klee
• 1978–1981: Col. Iain A. Ferguson
• 1981–1985: Col. James A. Dunsmure
• 1985–1987: Col. John M. Clavering
• 1987–1989: Lt. Col. Michael G. L. Whiteley
• 1989–1993: Brig. Michael I. E. Scott
• 1993–1995: Brig. Antony G. Ross
• 1995–2001: Maj. Gen. John P. Kiszely
• 2001–2006: Maj. Gen. John T. Holmes
• 2006–2011: Col. Alastair D. Mathewson
• 2011–2020: Brig. G. Harry F. S. Nickerson
• 2020–2021: Maj. Gen. Chris J. Bell
• 2021–present: Lt. Col. James D. L. Leask.

}}

The battle honours of the Scots Guards are as follows:{{cite web|url=http://pooleysword.com/en/Scots_Guards%27_Sword|title=Scots Guards Sword|access-date=27 April 2014|archive-date=3 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603194227/https://pooleysword.com/en/scots_guards%27_sword|url-status=dead}}

• Pre-First World War: Namur 1695, Dettingen, Lincelles, Egypt, Talavera, Barrosa, Fuentes de Oñoro, Salamanca, Nive, Peninsula, Waterloo, Alma, Inkerman, Sevastopol, Tel-er-Kebir, Egypt 1882, Suakin 1885, Modder River, South Africa 1899–1902
• First World War:
• Western Front: Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914, Aisne 1914, Ypres 1914 1917, Langemarck 1914, Gheluvelt, Nonne Bosschen, Givenchy 1914, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, Festubert 1915, Loos, Somme 1916 1918, Flers–Courcelette, Morval, Pilckem, Poelcapelle, Cambrai 1917 1918, St. Quentin, Albert 1918, Bapaume 1918, Arras 1918, Drocourt-Quéant, Hindenburg Line, Havrincourt, Canal du Nord, Selle, Sambre, France and Flanders 1914–18
• Second World War:
• North-West Europe: Stien, Norway 1940, Quarry Hill, Estry, Venlo Pocket, Rhineland, Reichswald, Kleve, Moyland, Hochwald, Rhine, Lingen, Uelzen, North-West Europe 1944–45
• North Africa: Halfaya 1941, Sidi Suleiman, Tobruk 1941, Gazala, Knightsbridge, Defence of Alamein Line, Medenine, Tadjera Khir, Medjez Plain, Grich el Oued, Djebel Bou Aoukaz 1943 I, North Africa 1941–43
• Italy: Salerno, Battipaglia, Volturno Crossing, Rocchetta e Croce, Monte Camino, Campoleone, Carroceto, Trasimene Line, Advance to Florence, Monte San Michele, Catarelto Ridge, Argenta Gap, Italy 1943–45
• Post World War II: Tumbledown Mountain (Falkland Islands 1982), Gulf 1991

• {{flagu|Australia}} – 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
• {{navy|UK}} – {{HMS|Duncan|D37|6}}

• Wantage granted on 2 August 2010{{cite web | url=https://wantagetowncouncil.gov.uk/wantage-town-mayor/freedom-of-wantage-recipients/ |title = Freedom of Wantage Recipients |website=Wantage Town Council | access-date = 27 January 2021 }}

{{s-start}}

{{order of precedence |

before= Coldstream Guards |

title= Infantry order of precedence|

after= Irish Guards

}}

{{s-end}}

• Armed forces in Scotland
• Military history of Scotland

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book|last=Cannon|first=Richard|author-link=Richard Cannon|year=1842|title=Historical Record of the Eighty-Sixth, or the Royal County Down Regiment of Foot|location=London|publisher=J. W. Parker}}
• {{cite book |last1=Dalton |first1=Charles |title=English Army Lists and Commission Registers, 1661-1714, Vol. IV |date=1896 |publisher=Forgotten Books |location=London |isbn=978-1333543266 |edition=2018}}
• {{cite web |last1=Folker |first1=Martin |title=3rd Foot Guards (Or Scotch Guards) |url=http://www.spanishsuccession.nl/armies_uk/regiment_fg3.html |website=War of the Spanish succession |access-date=17 June 2020 |archive-date=15 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915003819/http://www.spanishsuccession.nl/armies_uk/regiment_fg3.html |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite book |last1=Hickey |first1=William |title=Memoirs of a Georgian Rake |date=1995 |publisher=The Folio Society}}
• {{cite book |last1=Longford |first1=Elizabeth |title=Wellington; The years of the sword |date=1971 |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers Ltd |isbn=978-0586035481}}
• {{cite book |last1=McKinnon |first1=Daniel |title=Origins and Services of the Coldstream Guards, Volume I |date=1883 |publisher=Richard Bentley}}
• {{cite web |title=Scots Guards History |url=http://www.scotsguards.co.uk/history.htm |website=Scots Guards Association |access-date=1 November 2018 |ref={{sfnref|Scots Guards History}}}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/scots-guards/ Scots Guards page on British Army website]
• [https://theguardsmuseum.com/ The Guards Museum (history of the Foot Guards)]
• [http://www.scotsguards.co.uk Scots Guards Association Homepage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225205038/http://www.scotsguards.co.uk/ |date=25 February 2020 }}

{{British Army Infantry Regiments}}

{{British Infantry Regiments World War I}}

{{Royal Regiment of Scotland}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

Category:Guards regiments

Category:Military units and formations of the United Kingdom in the Falklands War

Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War II

Category:Regiments of the British Army in World War I

Category:Regiments of the British Army in the Crimean War

Category:1642 establishments in Scotland

Category:Military units and formations established in 1642

Category:Military units and formations of the Second Boer War

ja:近衛兵 (イギリス)#スコッツガーズ