Chief Executive’s Welcome
When was the last time you opened any form of media and found only good news, cover to cover?
Yes, of course, we are selective – we have to be because there’s so much positive news in Lowland that we cannot include everything!
So, get a brew, find a comfy chair and take your time to scroll through this edition of LQ. You will be impressed, inspired and invigorated.
No small print, no catches, no cost. Just 100% good, honest news about Defence in the Lowlands, delivered straight to your inbox.
Catch up with us, our Reservists, our Cadets and our Lowland network on Thursday 14 May for our Annual Association Meeting! I look forward to seeing you all there!
Welcome to New Members
We are very pleased to welcome new Association Members Claire Biggar MBE, formerly of Edinburgh Napier University and a great supporter of Defence and Lowland RFCA, as well as Lt Col Doug Bertram VR, who recently commanded 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Scottish and Ulster Gunners). He is now on the staff at the Army Personnel Centre in Glasgow. Principal Knowledge Exchange Fellow, Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, Doug also sits on the Glasgow and Strathclyde Military Education Committee.
Unit Grants 2026-27, Round 2
Lowland’s COs, OCs, Commandants and the Sea Cadets’ Northern Area Officer, should have by now received the bidding letter for the next round of Unit Grants for the period 1 Sep 26 to 31 Mar 27. The Board seeks to support initiatives that will significantly aid recruiting and retention across All Ranks. Bids are to be with Carole-Anne Collins, Senior Finance & Admin Assistant, lo-financeasst2@rfca.mod.uk, by Fri 22 May 26. The Lowland Board will consider the bids at their 24 Jun 26 meeting. Results will be promulgated shortly thereafter.
Annual Report 2025/26
We are pleased to confirm that our Annual Report is now available to read by clicking here.
As ever, the report contains updates from our Chair, Chief and Deputy Chief Executives and Heads of Department on Lowland RFCA activity over the past year. It is highly recommended reading for those attending our Annual Association Meeting at Heriot-Watt University (details, voting form and RSVP link can be found in the Dates for Your Diary section below).
Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards 2025
Throughout March and April Reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Defence civil servants from across the Lowlands of Scotland have once again been recognised for their exceptional efforts by receiving Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificates of Meritorious Service.
‘A definite highlight for me is organising flying lessons for the Cadets. It’s a privilege to share that kind of knowledge with them and see how much they enjoy the experience.’
Nominations for this year’s Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards will close at 23:59 on 24 June 2026. Commanding Officers and Commandants can nominate using the form on this page.
Army Engagement Group Hosts ‘Meet Your Army’ Events Across Lowlands
From 10-12 February, representatives from the Army Engagement Group and 51st Infantry Brigade and HQ Scotland hosted a series of ‘Meet Your Army’ events in Paisley, Greenock and Ayr.
The Army Engagement Group (AEG) tours the UK to engage with a wide variety of civilian audiences, with a view to giving them a greater understanding of the British Army; who they are, what they do and the many different ways in which they contribute to society.
For this particular round of events, guests from across the Lowlands’ education sector were invited to hear a series of informative briefings and personal stories from serving members of the Regular Army, Army Reserve and Army Cadet Force.
Once the briefings concluded, the floor was opened for a Q&A session, allowing the guests to dig deeper into the information delivered in the briefings and find out more about deployment processes, support for employers who hire Reservists through the Armed Forces Covenant and Employer Recognition Scheme, and how Army Reservists can work and train flexibly to meet their 27-days’ minimum service threshold.
More Lowland Employers Pledge to Support Defence Community
Our Employer Engagement team has had the great pleasure of organising several Armed Forces Covenant signings and Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award presentations over the past few months.
Forth Ports then went on to receive its ERS Bronze Award on Tuesday 28 April aboard the tall ship Pellew, which docked at Leith with fellow tall ship Spirit of Falmouth alongside the Royal Yacht Britannia – full story here.
PoppyScotland Hosts NHS Engagement Event
On Wednesday 11 March Poppyscotland welcomed speakers and guests from across Scotland’s twenty-two NHS Boards to meet at its Edinburgh offices for a special Armed Forces Community event.
The event, titled Serving Together, was led by members of the NHS Armed Forces Talent Programme (AFTP), and aimed to highlight the many close connections that exist between the Armed Forces and the healthcare sectors, as well as how the skills acquired in each can not only be highly transferable but mutually beneficial.
Following a productive morning of workshops and internal discussions, the afternoon session of the event was dedicated to presentations delivered by the Armed Forces Talent Programme, offering insights into how to attract Armed Forces talent into various NHS roles, whether they are clinical or clerical, how the skills gained by Reservists, service leavers and veterans can fill a range of skill shortages across the sector, and how the AFTP works to help Armed Forces personnel transitioning into NHS roles through placements and support with the recruitment process.
Cadets Fly the Flag for Commonwealth Day
Monday 9 March saw local authorities throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man raising flags to mark Commonwealth Day, a celebration held annually to promote unity, peace and shared values between the Commonwealth Nations across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
Among those local authorities marking the event was West Lothian Council, which held a flag-raising ceremony at the entrance to the Civic Centre in Livingston. The event was attended by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant for West Lothian, Caroline MacLachlan, and the Provost of Livingston, Councillor Cathy Muldoon.
Also in attendance and playing an active role in the flag-raising were two Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets for West Lothian: Cadet Company Sergeant Major Struan Barrie from Lothian & Borders Army Cadet Force and Able Cadet Alex Cameron from Grangemouth Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets.
Reservists and Cadets Join Princess Royal for Lowland Events
Meet Our Newest Team Members
On Monday 20 April we were delighted to welcome two new colleagues to the Lowland RFCA Engagement Team.
Neil Hume has taken over from Charlie Cook in the role of Defence Relationship Manager and will be supported by Caitlin Fitzsimmons as his Administrative Officer (AO), and James Hollywood has taken over from June Warren to act as AO to Duncan Evans. Both were kind enough to share a few words with us to introduce themselves, so without further ado…
Prior to joining Lowland RFCA, I worked as a Delay Resolution Manager with Network Rail, where I was employed for approximately 18 months. Before transitioning to the rail industry, I served for 24 years in the Scots Guards.
During my military career, I was deployed to a number of training establishments across the United Kingdom and the United States. I also took part in several of the UK’s major operational deployments over the past two decades, including Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Outside of my professional career, I represent Scotland in veterans’ football and will be competing in the Veterans World Cup this year.
In my new role, I am particularly looking forward to giving back by supporting the Reserve Forces in any way I can, as well as helping businesses engage with and uphold the Armed Forces Covenant.
James Hollywood
Before joining the team at Lowland RFCA, I worked as a Security Agent for Glasgow Airport, which was a great role for me as it involved working with the public, which I really enjoyed.
Once my contract ended, I decided to seek another role that would let me gain some more experience with the business side of public relations, which is why I applied for the AO job with Lowland RFCA.
At the weekends you can catch me DJ-ing in nightclubs around Glasgow City Centre if anyone is ever out and about!
Dates for your Diary
Voyage: Capella Edina and the Band of HM Royal Marines
Friday 1 May, Caird Hall, Dundee, DD1 3BB, 19:30.
Click here to book tickets.
Lowland RFCA Annual General Meeting: Partners in Progress
Thursday 14 May, James Watt Centre, Heriot-Watt University, EH14 4AS, 18:30-21:30. Guest speakers: Dr Doug Bertram (former CO 105 Regiment RA) and Prof Gerardine Matthews-Smith (Vice Chair COMEC).
To access the online voting form, click here.
To RSVP to the meeting, click here.
Scottish Military Ball 70th Anniversary
Saturday 16 May, The Royal Scots Club, Abercromby Place, 19:00.
For more information or to book tickets, click here.
Our Highlight Reels…
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