Prince Charles visits revamped Black Watch museum

30th July 2014

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One of Perth’s top attractions has been given a royal seal of approval.

Prince Charles, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, officially unveiled the £3 million extension of The Black Watch Museum.

Upon arriving at Balhousie Castle, he was serenaded by three pipers and led into the grounds via the Earl Wavell memorial gate.

Before starting his tour, the duke met with a group of youngsters from ABC Day Nursery.

Four-year-old Elena Sanderson handed over a card for Prince George, who celebrated his first birthday yesterday.

The duke was formally welcomed by Chairman of the Trustees of The Black Watch Museum Trust, Lieutenant General Sir Alistair Irwin, before being led on a tour of the newly-transformed attraction.

Prince Charles has close ties to the regimental museum, as he is the last Colonel-in-Chief of The Black Watch and was patron of the Heritage Appeal.

The extensive collection also contains artefacts that belonged to his Bowes-Lyon relatives, who served during the First World War.

Major Ronnie Proctor, secretary of The Black Watch Association, welcomed their royal visitor, saying: “It’s great that he has managed to make it up here.

“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work and it’s a great achievement for everyone in the regimental family.”

Meanwhile, the duke was not the only person enjoying his first visit to the museum since the re-launch.

Dr Tom Renouf MM, who served with the regiment during the Second World War and was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry at the Rhine, also made it along to see the transformation.

“I think it’s wonderful,” he said. “He has come along today and has added something very graceful to a wonderful occasion.”

Following his guided tour around the castle, the duke unveiled a plaque at the entrance marking his visit, before planting a tree in the grounds to commemorate 100 years since the First World War began.

Article from The Evening Telegraph can be read at: http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/news/local/perthshire/prince-charles-visits-revamped-black-watch-museum-1.486639


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