The Royal Regiment of Scotland Partnership

The East Lothian course has joined forces with SCOTS as it prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026 and this strengthens a relationship dating back more than 25 years.

SCOTS was formed on 28 March 2006 following the amalgamation of six historic Scottish infantry regiments, collectively representing nearly four centuries of service.

Their landmark anniversary year will see serving soldiers, veterans, families, and supporters come together at Musselburgh’s popular Oktoberfest Raceday next 12 September to mark the milestone.

The racecourse has hosted regimental race day events over the years and the antecedent regimental bands have been a familiar sight on family race days stretching back to the late 1990s.

Under the new “Official Community Partner” banner, Musselburgh will support a programme of community-focused activity including fundraising initiatives and complimentary access to racecourse facilities for regimental events.

Race day appearances by Corporal Cruachan IV - the regiment’s beloved Shetland pony mascot - and a full performance at Oktoberfest by The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland are also scheduled.

One of the key fundraising priorities will be to support The Royal Regiment of Scotland Heritage Appeal, which is a campaign to Respect, Remember and Invest.

Those that serve today will be respected through the installation of a commemorative statue in West Princes Street Gardens, those that have gone before will be remembered through a major redevelopment of the SCOTS museum in Edinburgh Castle, and the campaign will invest for the enduring benevolence of soldiers, veterans and their families.

Musselburgh Racecourse commercial and operations director, Sarah Montgomery, said:

“Our links with The Royal Regiment of Scotland go back decades and formalising that relationship for such a significant anniversary year in 2026 makes sense.

“When the SCOTS visit Musselburgh they add a special dimension to our race days and guests of all ages stop in their tracks to admire the colour, pageantry and of course the music of the talented military bands.

“We hope this partnership can deliver tangible support and that it gives the regiment a deserved platform on which their service and heritage is recognised.”

Head of Engagement for The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Brigadier Ben Wrench, said

“We are delighted to formally recognise the partnership between SCOTS and Musselburgh Racecourse as we enter into our 20th year. The racecourse is a place for comradeship between serving soldiers, veterans and their families, building on the cohesion and enjoyment generated from previous race days, enjoyed by our antecedents."

This official partnership marks a step forward in Musselburgh Racecourse’s Community Engagement Strategy, which has continuously expanded since being first introduced in 2014.

The racecourse will continue to support existing commitments with East Lothian Foodbank, Retraining of Racehorses and Racing to School Days, as well providing ticket donations for local fundraising and community-driven initiatives, which this year have so far totalled 536 admission tickets with an approximate value of £13,500.