AN historic link between Peebles and what was Britain's oldest infantry regiment was further strengthened this week with a presentation at the town's library.

The Royal Scots was raised by Royal Warrant in 1633 and subsequently served with distinction for almost four centuries through many campaigns across the globe.

The Regiment continued to recruit almost entirely from Edinburgh, the Lothians and Peeblesshire until its amalgamation just over a decade ago.

During the First World War the Regiment expanded to 35 battalions in which over 100,000 men served.

During the 1914-18 conflict a total of 11,313 Royal Scots made the ultimate sacrifice - many from the Borders, including 47 from Peebles, 20 from Innerleithen and 18 from Walkerburn.

The Royal Scots served in most of the campaigns of the First World War, from the Western Front to Bulgaria.

To mark the close connection with the area the Regiment was awarded the Freedom of Peebles in 1954.

As the centenary year of World War I ending draws to a close this month, a presentation was made on Tuesday by representatives of The Royal Scots Association at Peebles Library.

Nick Edwardson and Alex Dockar presented a rare three-volume History of the Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) to head librarian Alison Tait.

Mr Edwardson told us: "The presentation of the volumes acknowledges the contribution made by the county of Peeblesshire to the story of Britain’s senior infantry regiment."

The Regiment was amalgamated in 2006 but its long history of proud service continues today as part of 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The Colours of the Regiment’s 8th Battalion which historically had a particular association with Peebles were laid up in the town in 2007.

And they are now displayed outside the entrance to the library in the Chambers Institute.

The three-volume History of the Royal Scots will now be available for everyone to read in the library.