Veterans looked on with tears in their eyes and chests swelling with pride as they were told the “The famous name of The Black Watch will live on forever”.
Beneath a forest of red hackles, they listened intently as the Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross threw open the doors to their spiritual home after a year’s absence.
He spoke of the place of The Black Watch in the hearts and minds of countless soldiers, veterans and families around the world as he officially reopened the rejuvenated Balhousie Castle in Perth.
Years of struggle and hard work came to a stunning conclusion as the new regimental museum, redeveloped following a £3.5 million appeal, was unveiled.
“This project has taken some five years to come to fruition and it has not been without its hurdles and problems, trial and tribulations,” said Brigadier Mel Jameson.
“It is nothing short of a triumph. Balhousie Castle now takes on a new importance.
“It is where the famous name of The Black Watch renowned across the world and perhaps the best-known of all the UK’s regiments, with its formidable history will live on forever.”
The ambitious project has seen the construction of a major extension that will enable visitors to gain an insight into 300 years of glorious service, most recently during tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Gallery: New Black Watch museum opens
A carefully-designed extension has been created to complement the castle, which overlooks the city’s North Inch, and houses a caf, shop, visitor facilities, learning space and archive store.
The interior of the original museum has also been redeveloped and staff have been working day and night to expertly curate the collections and bring to vibrant life the story of The Black Watch using personal stories alongside state-of-the-art technology.
Captain Jamie Montgomery, trustee and executive chairman of The Black Watch Museum, was full of praise for the huge number of individuals and organisations involved in making the project a reality.
“This project began its long journey back in 2004 when we were dealt the blow that The Black Watch was going to cease to be a regiment in its own right,” he said.
“Three years later, after much discussion, the trustees decided to approach the MoD with a view to buying the museum and a year later we launched a heritage appeal to not just buy Balhousie, but to extend it to provide first class facilities.”
“It was an ambitious project and it launched at the worst possible time, in the wake of Lehman Brothers collapse and as the credit crunch began.
“It is therefore an enormous achievement that we did raise the £3.5 million against what was a very serious economic headwind.”
Balhousie Castle officially reopens to the public on Tuesday.