The town showed its community spirit by lining the streets in support of the local battalion, who have just returned after a six month tour in Afghanistan.

As Honorary Freemen of Penicuik, The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, marched through the town on Thursday 17 October to celebrate their homecoming from a recent tour in Afghanistan, which lead to the deaths of three Penicuik based servicemen.

The soldiers marched from Tesco Penicuik’s car park through streets lined with hundreds of supportive, union jack and saltire waving, locals. Outside the town hall, the four hundred local regiment troops took the salute from HRH Duke of York. The council was represented by Councillor Adam Montgomery. (seen above)

This parade came after a tragic tour in the Nahr-e Saraj province of Afghanistan, in which Corporal William Savage and Fusilier Samuel Flint of 2Scots and Private Robert Hetherington of 7Scots where killed after their Mastiff vehicle hit an IED whilst on routine patrol. 2Scots latest deployment saw them participate in Operation Herrick 18, which aimed to transition Afghan security forces to take over from British troops when they leave the country next year.

The rain held off right till the end of the parade however locals were determined to show their support.

[Image: © The Penicuik Cuckoo/Caitlin Reid.]