Chief Executive’s Welcome
There is no shortage of grim news at home and overseas these days, and Sir Hew Strachan’s recent ‘roundtable’ at St Andrews University with General Sir Richard Barrons, one of SDR’s three authors, concluded that there is a very great deal that must be done to gird our national Defences against those who would wish us harm.
Your continued support for our Reservists and Cadets, as well as your advocacy for Defence matters more widely, is therefore critical. There is much more to be done. The Council of RFCAs’ Annual Conference in London (5 November) will likely help inform us and our fellow RFCAs as to how we might better actively challenge and champion. By the way, it is not too late to register for the Conference’s livestreaming service. The link to register can be found in the ‘Dates for your Diary’ section below.
Meanwhile, it is heartening and encouraging, as ever, to read here of our Reservists and Cadets’ exceptional contributions to our Lowland communities and to our Nation. Please share this LQ wide and far across your professional, domestic and recreational networks. Every little helps.
Lord-Lieutenants’ Awards 2025 Announced
Our warmest congratulations go out to this year’s recipients of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificates of Meritorious Service.
Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Defence civil servants from all across the Lowlands of Scotland have been nominated for this special recognition of their dedication, drive and diligence in the course of their duties.
The Lord-Lieutenants, who serve as regional representatives for HM The King, present recipients with their Certificates at special award ceremonies in their respective Lieutenancy areas. This gives the worthy winners a chance to publicly celebrate this great achievement with their families, colleagues and employers.
Very well done again to this year’s recipients, and we look forward to formally celebrating their success in the near future.
ERS Comms Networking Breakfast
Prior to the 2025 Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Awards presentations, the Lowland RFCA Comms Team hosted a Networking Breakfast in the Officers’ Mess of Edinburgh Castle for the Comms and Marketing staff of this year’s Silver and Gold ERS winners.
As well as giving the guests a chance to meet and chat with their counterparts from fellow Forces-friendly organisations – and to enjoy some delicious scones and pastries – the event included a number of briefings covering topics such as the Defence Community, Advocacy for Defence People and outlines of the Gold and Silver Award ceremonies and press campaigns.
With the weather proving to be in our favour for the day, the guests were invited to gather on the steps of the Officers’ Mess for a group photo before heading up to the Great Hall of the Castle for a final briefing on the ERS Gold Awards event.
Thanks again to everyone who came along for the morning, we hope the briefings were useful and we look forward to working with you and your organisations as you continue your ERS journeys.
Stunning Silvers at Summerlee Museum
Twenty-four organisations from across the Lowlands of Scotland have been named as recipients of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award in acknowledgement of their pledges to support members of their local Armed Forces Community.
Representatives from each winning organisation received their Silver Award at the Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life in Coatbridge. Presenting the certificates on behalf of the Defence Secretary was Air Officer Scotland Air Commodore Mark Northover.
Air Commodore Northover paid a heartfelt tribute to this year’s Silver Award winners, commenting: ‘This is a busy time for both our Regular and Reserve personnel, who are engaged in numerous operations and training exercises at home and abroad.
‘It is essential that our sailors, soldiers and aviators have the full support of their employers in order to take part in such operations, and so I offer my sincere gratitude to everyone here this evening for providing that vital support.
‘We in Defence are keenly aware of the sacrifices many of you have made to allow Reservists in your teams time away from the workplace to train and to mobilise, but know that the hard and soft skills those Reservists gain with us will undoubtedly complement your own investments in your employees.’
602 and 603 Squadrons Celebrate Centenaries
Official Opening of Merlano Lines ARC
Forces-Friendly Employers Attend Royal Gun Salute
On Monday 8 September Royal Gun Salutes took place throughout the UK to celebrate three years since HM The King’s Accession to the throne. In Scotland, the 21-gun salute was fired from the busy grounds of Edinburgh Castle, whose visitors for the day included Lowland RFCA and a number of Forces-friendly employers. 
The proceedings began with a reception in the Officers’ Mess, where the Lowland RFCA team and their guests took the opportunity to network with each other. The gathering included a range of businesses and community organisations, many of whom either work directly in or have connections to the cyber and space sectors, including Skyrora, Craft Prospect and a number of local universities. As part of the event, a number of these organisations were also presented with their ERS Bronze Award, in recognition of their pledges to the Defence Community as signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant.
The 21-gun salute was carried out by Gunners from 105 Regiment Royal Artillery, supported on this occasion by members of the US National Guard. The salute was taken and a review of the troops performed by Air Commodore James Linter OBE, on behalf of Air Officer Scotland.
Glasgow & Strathclyde UOTC Leadership Academy
On Friday 10 October Glasgow & Strathclyde Universities Officers’ Training Corps welcomed representatives from over a dozen local Forces-friendly employers to take part in an all-day Leadership Academy.
Save the Date: CARAs 2025
The Cadet Adult Recognition Awards (CARAs) are back! Once again we have invited members of the Army, Sea and RAF Air Cadets to nominate the adult volunteers who have made the biggest difference to them and to their units for this very special award.
Now in its sixth year, the CARAs gives Cadets the opportunity to shine a spotlight on those CFAVs who go above and beyond to ensure that young people across the Lowlands of Scotland get the most out of their Cadet experience, whether on routine parade nights, at Annual Camp or anything in between.
Nominations for the CARAs 2025 closed on 26 October, and a specially selected panel of judges will decide on this year’s ten worthy winners over the coming weekend. The awards ceremony will then go live on the Lowland RFCA YouTube Channel at 7pm on Friday 5 December. We hope you will tune in and join us in thanking and celebrating some truly phenomenal CFAVs.
Glasgow & Lanarkshire Battalion Host Careers Fair
On Wednesday 15 October Glasgow & Lanarkshire Battalion took advantage of the half-term break to host a Careers Fair for their Cadets, inviting several local employers to set up stalls at their Training Centre in Cambuslang.
Dates for your Diary
Wednesday 5 November from 9:30am – RFCA Annual Conference 2025.
Programme Highlights:
- Opening Address – Captain N R V Dorman, RFCA Board Chair
- Ministerial Address – Louise Sandher-Jones MP, Minister for Veterans and People
- Defence Overview – Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes, Deputy Commander Cyber & Specialist Operations
- Reserves Update – Major General Marc Overton, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reserves & Cadets)
- Cadets Growth – Brigadier Anthony Lamb, Head Cadets
- Armed Forces Recruiting Update – Kelly Van Nelson (Serco) and Brigadier Andrew Griffiths
- Strategic Reserve Plans – Brigadier Connelly, Strategic Joint Command
- Closing Address – Air Chief Marshal The Lord Peach of Grantham, CRFCA President
To register for the conference please click here.
Our Highlight Reels…
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