I thank Liz Smith for lodging the motion and, as a proud son of Forfar and Angus, I am privileged to speak in support of it.

I join members on all sides of the chamber in recognising the extraordinary legacy of one of Scotland’s most distinguished regiments. Like other members, I acknowledge the presence of veterans and supporters of the Black Watch who have joined us in the public gallery today. Their service, commitment and continuing efforts to uphold the traditions and memory of the regiment are deeply valued, not only by the Parliament but by the people of Scotland, and I thank them.

Today, we mark a significant anniversary for the Black Watch, as Liz Smith’s motion mentions. Since its formation in 1725, it has been synonymous with fierce courage, discipline and a sense of duty to Crown and country. It stands proudly among the pantheon of great British regiments and great Scottish regiments, including—from my new part of the world for 40 years, Stirlingshire—the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Those regiments share a proud common history of service in the darkest hours of war, and in peacekeeping, in lands far and near, from Waterloo—as has been mentioned—to the western front, and from the hills of Korea to the streets of Basra.

However, those regiments were, and are, not just military units—they were, and are, families. More than 20 years ago, when the then Labour Government announced its plans to amalgamate Scotland’s historic regiments of the line, it struck at something far deeper than structure—it struck at heritage. The save the Scottish regiments campaign was born, which has been referenced by a couple of members who spoke before me.

If I may be personal for a moment, although the campaign did not succeed in stopping the changes, it gave me one of the great honours—if not the greatest honour—of my political life. In one of her final public interventions, Margaret Thatcher came to Stirling to support me as the Conservative candidate and to back the campaign. Her support spoke volumes about what she and so many of the rest of us realised was at stake: the defence not only of regimental history but of the values that built our nation.

The Argylls, which were deeply rooted in Stirling and the surrounding districts, twice faced the existential threat of extinction. The communities rallied twice to defend them—sadly, not successfully on the last occasion. However, that same spirit lives on in the Black Watch and in all who wear and have worn the cap badge and the famous red hackle. The work of the regimental museums and the veterans associations ensures that those traditions are not forgotten.

Through Liz Smith’s motion and this debate, let us pledge that this heritage, these great names and the values that they embody shall never fade from our national story. We honour the Black Watch and, through it, we honour the very best of Scotland.