Hundreds of Scots soldiers have begun deploying to Afghanistan. About 500 troops from The Highlanders, 4th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 Scots) are travelling to the war-torn country to perform a ground-holding role.
The soldiers will spend six months in the Lashkar Gah region of Helmand province.
They are taking over the position currently held by 2 Scots, The Royal Highland Fusiliers.
The Highlanders will join other Scottish forces recently deployed in Afghanistan, including marines from Arbroath’s 45 Commando and troops from the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
In December, the Ministry of Defence announced that about 1,500 Scots-based service personnel were to be sent to Afghanistan this year.
During the final stages of deployment, 4 Scots left their German base in Falli…