Redford Barracks
Encyclopedia
Redford Cavalry and Infantry Barracks are located on Colinton Road, near the Edinburgh City Bypass
, east of the suburb of Colinton
in Edinburgh
, Scotland
.
Redford Barracks was built between 1909 and 1915 by the War Office
and designed by Harry Bell Measures
. When completed, the Barracks was the largest military installation built in Scotland since Fort George
in the Highlands
. The British Army
garrison in Edinburgh Castle
formally moved out to the Barracks in 1923. Today, the Infantry Barracks are the location of a resident line infantry battalion, 3rd Battalion, The Rifles
, and the Cavalry Barracks houses a number of administrative functions.
The Barracks is centred on two category B listed main buildings and parade squares facing Colinton Road.
and could accommodate 1000 men. Today it provides everything the resident line infantry
battalion
requires to function. The families live in service quarters close to the Barracks and the children attend local schools. The main barrack block itself houses the resident Battalion Headquarters, one Rifle Company
, a Fire Support Company and Headquarters Company. The two other Rifle Companies are accommodated in a separate, newer block. The main buildings' accommodation is modern and bright.
Redford provides the base for the guard
of Edinburgh Castle
. The resident Infantry Battalion has been the 3rd Battalion, The Rifles
(formerly 2nd Battalion, The Light Infantry
) since 2003, when they took over from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
.
s and associated outbuildings. With the permanent stationing of armoured units
like the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
in Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhine
, the Cavalry barracks was no longer required for its original purpose. Today it is 51st (Scottish) Brigade's
Regional Training Centre, base for all Territorial Army training in Scotland, as well as housing other administrative functions. The Cavalry Barracks has also recently become base to the Headquarters of 52 Brigade, which largely moved from Edinburgh Castle
, with the exception of a few remaining ceremonial functions. The Cavalry Barracks also annually houses the performers of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
, with the parade square used for rehearsals.
An urban myth
is that the Barracks' design was originally intended for use in India
due to its distinctive Indo-Saracenic
architectural features, as well the high ceilings, doorways and airy rooms throughout the main blocks.
, 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland and The Band
of the Royal Regiment of Scotland are located at the adjacent Dreghorn Barracks
, which was originally requisitioned by the Army in 1914. Together with the Royal Highland Fusiliers
, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, based at Glencorse Barracks
in Penicuik
, the three sites comprise the City of Edinburgh Garrison.
Drill hall
s used by 105th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
and the City of Edinburgh UOTC
are also located adjacent to the barracks and the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming
is situated nearby at Inchdrewer House. The barracks also makes use of the Castlelaw Training Area and Rifle Range in the Pentland Hills
.
The driving force behind the review of basing is the military requirement. By 2020, the Army will be made up of five Multi-Role Brigades (MRB) of around 6,000 people. These brigades need to be geographically close to suitable training areas so they can prepare for deployment.
The changes to military basing announced by the Defence Secretary include:
• An Army MRB will be in Scotland, centred on Edinburgh. The base at Kirknewton
, South-West of Edinburgh, will be developed into a major Army base. The first units are expected to move in to Kirknewton in 2016-17. Additional troops will be stationed in Glencorse Barracks
. Redford and Dreghorn Barracks
will become surplus to requirements and are, therefore, earmarked for disposal.
Edinburgh City Bypass
The Edinburgh City Bypass, designated as A720, is one of the most important trunk roads in Scotland. Circling around the south of Edinburgh, as the equivalent of a ring road for the coastal city, it links together the A1 towards north-east England, the A702 towards north-west England, the M8...
, east of the suburb of Colinton
Colinton
Colinton is a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland situated 6 kilometres south west of the city centre. It is bordered by Dreghorn to the south and Craiglockhart to the north-east. To the north-west it extends to Lanark Road and to the south-west to the City Bypass...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Redford Barracks was built between 1909 and 1915 by the War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
and designed by Harry Bell Measures
Harry Bell Measures
Harry Bell Measures was an English architect.He had a varied career. From 1884 - 1892 he was in-house architect for William Willett producing high quality housing for the well-heeled in London and South East England; these were normally in the an ornate red brick Queen Anne style which was...
. When completed, the Barracks was the largest military installation built in Scotland since Fort George
Fort George, Highland
Fort George , is a large 18th century fortress near Ardersier, to the north-east of Inverness in the Highland council area of Scotland. It was built to pacify the Scottish Highlands in the aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745, replacing an earlier Fort George built with the same aim after the...
in the Highlands
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
. The British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
garrison in Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear...
formally moved out to the Barracks in 1923. Today, the Infantry Barracks are the location of a resident line infantry battalion, 3rd Battalion, The Rifles
The Rifles
The Rifles is the largest regiment of the British Army. Formed in 2007, it consists of five regular and two territorial battalions, plus a number of companies in other TA battalions, Each battalion of the Rifles was formerly an individual battalion of one of the two large regiments of the Light...
, and the Cavalry Barracks houses a number of administrative functions.
The Barracks is centred on two category B listed main buildings and parade squares facing Colinton Road.
Infantry Barracks
The Infantry Barracks (55.9103°N 3.2457°W), was originally built to house an entire Infantry regimentRegiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
and could accommodate 1000 men. Today it provides everything the resident line infantry
Line infantry
Line infantry is a type of infantry which composed the basis of European land armies from the middle of the 17th century to the middle of the 19th century....
battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
requires to function. The families live in service quarters close to the Barracks and the children attend local schools. The main barrack block itself houses the resident Battalion Headquarters, one Rifle Company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
, a Fire Support Company and Headquarters Company. The two other Rifle Companies are accommodated in a separate, newer block. The main buildings' accommodation is modern and bright.
Redford provides the base for the guard
Public duties
Public duties are performed by military personnel, and usually have a ceremonial or historic significance rather than an overtly operational role.-Germany:...
of Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear...
. The resident Infantry Battalion has been the 3rd Battalion, The Rifles
The Rifles
The Rifles is the largest regiment of the British Army. Formed in 2007, it consists of five regular and two territorial battalions, plus a number of companies in other TA battalions, Each battalion of the Rifles was formerly an individual battalion of one of the two large regiments of the Light...
(formerly 2nd Battalion, The Light Infantry
The Light Infantry
The Light Infantry was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Light Division. It was formed on 10 July 1968 as a "large regiment" by the amalgamation of the four remaining light infantry regiments of the Light Infantry Brigade:...
) since 2003, when they took over from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland....
.
Cavalry Barracks
The three-storeyed Cavalry Barracks (55.9127°N 3.2419°W), with its tall domed clock-tower, was originally built to house a Cavalry regiment, most notably the Royal Scots Greys, with a large annexe of StableStable
A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals...
s and associated outbuildings. With the permanent stationing of armoured units
Armoured regiment (United Kingdom)
The Type 58 armoured regiment is one of two organisations currently provided by cavalry regiments of the British Army, and is a battalion-sized formation equipped with Challenger 2 main battle tanks. It is the descendant of traditional heavy cavalry, intended to provided massed armour for use in a...
like the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, and the senior Scottish regiment. It was formed on 2 July 1971 at Holyrood, Edinburgh, by the amalgamation of the 3rd Carabiniers The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) (SCOTS DG) is a cavalry regiment of...
in Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhine
British Army of the Rhine
There have been two formations named British Army of the Rhine . Both were originally occupation forces in Germany, one after the First World War, and the other after the Second World War.-1919–1929:...
, the Cavalry barracks was no longer required for its original purpose. Today it is 51st (Scottish) Brigade's
British 51st Infantry Brigade
The British 51st Infantry Brigade is currently known as 51 Brigade, part of the 2nd Division. It is currently the regional administrative formation responsible for all the units of the Territorial Army based in Scotland. It is the largest Regional Brigade in the United Kingdom in terms of...
Regional Training Centre, base for all Territorial Army training in Scotland, as well as housing other administrative functions. The Cavalry Barracks has also recently become base to the Headquarters of 52 Brigade, which largely moved from Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear...
, with the exception of a few remaining ceremonial functions. The Cavalry Barracks also annually houses the performers of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is an annual series of Military tattoos performed by British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and International military bands and display teams in the Scottish capital Edinburgh...
, with the parade square used for rehearsals.
An urban myth
Urban legend
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true...
is that the Barracks' design was originally intended for use in India
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
due to its distinctive Indo-Saracenic
Indo-Saracenic
The Indo-Saracenic Revival was an architectural style movement by British architects in the late 19th century in British India...
architectural features, as well the high ceilings, doorways and airy rooms throughout the main blocks.
Nearby locations
The Royal Scots BorderersRoyal Scots Borderers
The Royal Scots Borderers is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.Two infantry regiments ; the Royal Scots and the King's Own Scottish Borderers merged on the 28 March 2006, and with the other Scottish infantry regiments amalgamated into the single seven battalion strong Royal...
, 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland and The Band
Military band
A military band originally was a group of personnel that performs musical duties for military functions, usually for the armed forces. A typical military band consists mostly of wind and percussion instruments. The conductor of a band commonly bears the title of Bandmaster or Director of Music...
of the Royal Regiment of Scotland are located at the adjacent Dreghorn Barracks
Dreghorn Barracks
Dreghorn Barracks are located in Edinburgh, Scotland. The barracks are situated at the southern edge of the city, south of Colinton, and adjacent to the Edinburgh City Bypass. The present barracks complex was largely built in 1937–1939 to designs by William Alexander Ross. The barracks were...
, which was originally requisitioned by the Army in 1914. Together with the Royal Highland Fusiliers
Royal Highland Fusiliers
The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland is an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland....
, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, based at Glencorse Barracks
Glencorse Barracks
-History:Glencorse Barracks date from 1803, when they were first used to hold prisoners, then known as Greenlaw Military Prison, during the Napoleonic Wars before being bought outright from the private estate on which they stood . The only surviving building from that time is the former Guardroom,...
in Penicuik
Penicuik
Penicuik is a burgh and civil parish in Midlothian, Scotland, lying on the west bank of the River North Esk. The town was developed as a planned village in 1770 by Sir James Clerk of Penicuik. It became a burgh in 1867. The town was well known for its paper mills, the last of which closed in 2005....
, the three sites comprise the City of Edinburgh Garrison.
Drill hall
Drill hall
A drill hall is a place such as a building or a hangar where soldiers practice and perform military drill. In the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, the term was also used for the whole headquarters building of a military reserve unit, which usually incorporated such a hall...
s used by 105th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
105th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
105th Regiment Royal Artillery The Scottish & Ulster Gunners is a British Territorial Army Regiment of the Royal Artillery. The regiment is part of 51st Brigade...
and the City of Edinburgh UOTC
Officers Training Corps
The Officer Training Corps is a part of the British Army which provides military leadership training to students at UK universities...
are also located adjacent to the barracks and the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming
Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming
The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming is a British Army training establishment that provides instructions of Scottish bagpipe music to military pipers, drummers and pipe bands.-History:...
is situated nearby at Inchdrewer House. The barracks also makes use of the Castlelaw Training Area and Rifle Range in the Pentland Hills
Pentland Hills
The Pentland Hills are a range of hills to the south-west of Edinburgh, Scotland. The range is around 20 miles in length, and runs south west from Edinburgh towards Biggar and the upper Clydesdale.Some of the peaks include:* Scald Law...
.
The future
Moving towards Future Force 2020, and returning the 20,000 personnel stationed in Germany, means the Armed Forces' estate requirements will change. As a result, the MOD has reviewed its future basing needs.The driving force behind the review of basing is the military requirement. By 2020, the Army will be made up of five Multi-Role Brigades (MRB) of around 6,000 people. These brigades need to be geographically close to suitable training areas so they can prepare for deployment.
The changes to military basing announced by the Defence Secretary include:
• An Army MRB will be in Scotland, centred on Edinburgh. The base at Kirknewton
RAF Kirknewton
RAF Kirknewton is a Royal Air Force station at Whitemoss, a mile south east of Kirknewton, West Lothian, Scotland.Primarily an RAF radar base, RAF Kirknewton was home to a variety of units during the war. No...
, South-West of Edinburgh, will be developed into a major Army base. The first units are expected to move in to Kirknewton in 2016-17. Additional troops will be stationed in Glencorse Barracks
Glencorse Barracks
-History:Glencorse Barracks date from 1803, when they were first used to hold prisoners, then known as Greenlaw Military Prison, during the Napoleonic Wars before being bought outright from the private estate on which they stood . The only surviving building from that time is the former Guardroom,...
. Redford and Dreghorn Barracks
Dreghorn Barracks
Dreghorn Barracks are located in Edinburgh, Scotland. The barracks are situated at the southern edge of the city, south of Colinton, and adjacent to the Edinburgh City Bypass. The present barracks complex was largely built in 1937–1939 to designs by William Alexander Ross. The barracks were...
will become surplus to requirements and are, therefore, earmarked for disposal.