A FORMER Black Watch commander bore his grandfather’s sword on parade as he officially took up one of Scotland’s oldest appointments.
Major General Mike Riddell-Webster, the army’s highest ranking reservist, was installed as the Governor of Edinburgh Castle during a parade on the monument’s esplanade.
He was loaned the ceremonial blade, which once belonged to his grandfather, General Sir Thomas Sheridan Riddell-Webster GCM DSO, Quartermaster-General to the Forces during the Second World War.
Housed in the Cameronians Museum in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, the sword was presented to the Major General especially for the occasion.
Speaking before the parade, the 54-year-old said: “It will be a fantastic honour to carry my grandfather’s sword and a very proud moment.”
His grandfather had previously asked permission that one of his descendants would be given the honour but only if there was another general in the family.
The parade included troops from the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and pipes and drums from the regiment.
The ceremonial key to the castle was handed over by The Lord Lyon, King of Arms, the head of all traditional heraldry in Scotland, alongside his heralds and pursuivants.
Mr Riddell-Webster has pledged to “nurture a relationship” between the army and Historic Scotland which manages the castle.
He will also work to develop the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and represent the army at ceremonial events honouring veterans.
He said: “I’m really chuffed to be doing this.
“I think it is fantastic to have retired and to still have something to do with the army – and also to be able to give something back.”
It is the first time the appointment has been held by an army reservist.
In modern times it has been a position for the most senior regular army officer in Scotland.
The changes come after a review as part of the last
Strategic Defence and Security Review recommended reserves have roles at all levels in the Army’s command structure.
Past governors dating back to the 11th century include the Dukes of Hamilton, Argyll and Rothesay. There is only one other reservist with as high a rank as the new Governor, Major Gen Ranald Munro, who is Deputy Commander Land Forces.
Major Gen Riddell-Webster was commissioned in 1983 and spent most of his career in the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch, now the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
He commanded the battalion during the 2003 Gulf War, when the unit was deployed into Basra, Iraq.
He has also completed tours in Northern Ireland and Kosovo.
He held several senior general appointments before leaving the army in 2014 and joining the army reserves in 2015.
He is a postgraduate student at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh, where he is studying for an MSc in energy.
Originally from Perth, he has two grown up sons - Thomas and Sam - with wife Sarah.
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