Penicuik’s local regiment, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS), will shortly leave Penicuik for Afghanistan to help train Afghani Security Services.

As part of a continued handover process, 2 Scots have started leaving Glencorse Barracks to aid Task Force Helmand in the training of Aghanistan’s national security service. Soldiers in the regiment will continue to depart over the coming week for their six month tour in Helmand Province.

Coalition forces aim to withdraw all active troops from the war stricken country by the end of 2014 with 3800 soldiers leaving the frontline this year.

Commanding Officer Lt Col Robin Lindsay told STV News:

2 SCOTS will be building on the good work of our predecessors and our focus is now on ensuring that the institutions of the Afghan Police are further strengthened, through effective training.