Royal Navy to guard Edinburgh Castle for first time

Sailors from across the Royal Navy say it is a “privilege and honour” to guard Edinburgh Castle for the first time in history.

The sailors are guarding the castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from Friday until May 22 as Lady Elish Angiolini is welcomed as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

It marks the first occasion where the Navy has carried out such a task, with sailors in full uniform ahead of a senior service march for the arrival parade on Friday to welcome Lady Angiolini into the city at the Ceremony of the Keys.

The Royal Navy performed a dress rehearsal of the guard of honour. LPhot Stuart Dickson/Royal Navy

The duty is normally carried out by the British Army.

Warrant Officer 1 Glynn “Moffs” Moffat, the Royal Navy’s state ceremonial training officer, said: “It is a tremendous privilege and honour for the Royal Navy to be granted the unique opportunity, for the first time in history, to mount the ceremonial guard at both Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

“These men and women, having so proudly represented the Royal Navy during the VE Day commemorations, now carry that same sense of duty and pride into the heart of Edinburgh.

“This historic moment follows a remarkable period in which the Royal Navy took centre stage as the lead service at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – another proud chapter in our enduring relationship with the city and its traditions.

“As someone who served aboard HMS Edinburgh and had the honour of marching her ship’s company up the Royal Mile when we were granted the Freedom of the City in 2013, it’s incredibly special to return under such historic circumstances. It truly feels like coming home.”

The sailors have been rehearsing their routine alongside their colleagues in the Army, with drill instructors from both regiments at Redford Barracks ensuring they are up to scratch.

A rehearsal took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Wednesday, before a full dress rehearsal for the inspecting officer of His Majesty’s Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Major General Bob Bruce, on Thursday. The officer passed the guard of honour fit for duties.

Brigadier Andrew Muddiman, Naval regional commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, will be in attendance for the royal salute.

He said: “The General Assembly week is an important fixture in the Scottish calendar, and I’m delighted that this year the Royal Navy is able to provide the ceremonial support, from the Ceremony of the Keys to the individual guard mounts at the palace and Edinburgh Castle.

“It’s a privilege to be in attendance for Lady Angiolini as the Lord High Commissioner as she inspects the Guard of Honour and meets our young sailors.

“For some this will be their first time in Edinburgh, for others a welcome return to the city.

“This is an opportunity for the Royal Navy to showcase its ceremonial skill and precision to the people of Scotland, who will not be disappointed.”

The appointment of Lady Angiolini, a practising Roman Catholic, is a reflection of the historic declaration of friendship between the Kirk and the Catholic Church in Scotland.

The Lord High Commissioner is the King’s personal representative at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which meets in May each year.