Commando Spirit In Edinburgh

Troops mark 350 years of The Royal Marines.

The Royal Marines are coming to Edinburgh this weekend to celebrate the Corps'. Members of the public will be able to join the birthday celebrations in Princes Street Gardens where a Family Open Day and Royal Marines Band concert are planned. Young and old will be able to visit arctic, jungle and desert displays, all areas that Royal Marines are specialists in, as well as watch unarmed combat displays and a chance to take on some physical challenges of their own.

If that all becomes too much then the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Scotland will be keeping the crowds entertained with their precision in the Ross Bandstand.

But before the Family Day gets underway the men of 45 Commando Royal Marines will hand the Royal Marines 1664 Challenge baton to those from the Royal Marines Reserve Scotland at a ceremony at the One O'Clock gun in the grounds of Edinburgh The Royal Marines were formed in the year 1664, 350 years ago, and to mark the 
occasion they are undertaking the Royal Marines 1664 Challenge.

The challenge has seen them ski, sail, cycle, canoe, and now run from Norway to Spain and France and back to the UK.

The final phase is a 1,664 km run around the UK finishing in London on 25 July; six Royal Marine Commandos are completing the entire challenge, some 6,656 kms.

On Saturday 45 Commando will complete the run from their home camp in Arbroath to Edinburgh, where the Royal Marines Reserve Scotland are based, and hand over the baton so the Reservists can continue the run through to Glasgow where they will then hand over to 43 Commando.

Lt Col Gary Green RM, organiser of the Royal Marines 1664 Challenge, said: 

"The challenge began in February in the Arctic Circle and back then arriving in Edinburgh seemed a long, long way off. But the men have now arrived and the support from the British public along the way has been fantastic. 

"We are hoping the residents of Edinburgh will come out and support the runners as well as coming down to Princes Street Gardens afterwards."

Organising events in Edinburgh this Saturday is the Commanding Officer of Royal Marines Scotland, Lt Col Richard Parvin RM said: 

"The events we are hosting on Saturday mark the 350th birthday of our Corps and are intended to involve the public, our Marines and their families in a day of fun and celebration. The four Royal Marines units based in Scotland, 43 

"Commando, 45 Commando, Royal Marines Reserve Scotland and the Band will all take part in the day.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for the Scottish public to meet their Marines and to find out more about the work we do and the training we carry out right here in Scotland."