Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has refused to rule out axing The Black Watch.
Repeatedly questioned by opposition politicians at the House of Commons, the Conservative MP failed to pledge to save the world-famous battalion.
The Courier revealed last week that there are plans that could see The Black Watch merged with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as part of UK Government cuts.
On Monday Mr Hammond was asked to clarify the situation, but would only confirm the ”regimental structure” of UK forces would remain.
”I, too, have read in a newspaper that I am determined to introduce a continental-style army, without a regimental structure,” he said in response to Labour defence spokesman Jim Murphy.
”I can say this to the house I understand absolutely the vital role that the regimental structure plays in the British Army, and as long as I am secretary of state for defence, the regimental structure will remain.”
But asked specifically about the Scottish raised units by SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson, Mr Hammond added: ”I will tell [him] frankly, we are going to have a smaller army.
”You can’t have a smaller army without some structural changes, and I will make an announcement to the house as soon as I am able about the structure.”
Opposition politicians in Scotland reacted with fury to the comments, with Mr Robertson branding it a ”further betrayal”.
He said: ”Philip Hammond’s refusal to rule out further amalgamation or disbandment of Scottish raised units is a further betrayal of promises by the Tories when they were in opposition that they would reinstate Scottish army units.
”Given the disproportionate personnel cuts and the defence underspend that Scotland has already endured, the UK Government must abandon any plans that would threaten the future of our historic units.”’He seems to be in denial’Mr Murphy said: ”The secretary of state’s response was totally inadequate. He seems to be in denial about the strength of feeling in Scotland. He doesn’t seem to get it.
”He seems to know the cost of everything but the value of nothing. He cannot just dismiss the centuries of history in such a cavalier way.”
Raised in Perthshire and synonymous with its Tayside and Fife recruitment patch, The Black Watch has a proud history.
It was a infantry regiment until 2006, when it became a battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland as part of an earlier defence reorganisation.
At that time supporters were assured cap badges would be retained as a so-called ”golden thread” to keep tradition alive.
The exchanges at Westminster came as it was claimed David Cameron has been left in ”no doubt” about the importance of The Black Watch to Scotland.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she had put the case directly to the Prime Minister in a phone call.
”It is the job of the Scottish Conservative leader to fight Scotland’s corner,” the former TA soldier told The Courier.
”I made sure the Prime Minister was left in no doubt about the views of Scotland on this issue.”
There are concerns among unionists the restructuring could help nationalists in the independence referendum campaign.