Dreghorn Barracks are located in Edinburgh, Scotland. The barracks are situated at the southern edge of the city, south of Colinton, and adjacent to the Edinburgh City Bypass.
| Dreghorn Barracks | |
|---|---|
| Part of Edinburgh Garrison | |
| Dreghorn, Edinburgh in Scotland | |
 Entrance to Dreghorn Barracks in 2008 | |
  Dreghorn Barracks Location within Edinburgh | |
| Coordinates | 55°54′08″N 3°14′22″W / 55.9022°N 3.2395°W |
| Type | Army barracks |
| Area | 61 hectares (150 acres)[1] |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator |  British Army |
| Condition | Operational |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1937–1939 |
| Architect | William Alexander Ross |
| In use | 1939 – present |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | 3rd Battalion, The Rifles |
History
editThe present barracks complex was largely built in 1937–1939 to designs by William Alexander Ross.[2][3] The barracks were upgraded in 1989–1992, with the addition of several new buildings. The four original buildings are protected as a category C(s) listed building.[3]
The barracks were built in the grounds of Dreghorn Castle, a 17th-century mansion built by Sir William Murray, Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland.[4] The castle was extended around 1805 by Archibald and James Elliot.[5] The castle was acquired by the War Office in 1893, and was eventually demolished in 1955.[5]
A monument outside the barracks on Redford Road commemorates the insurgent covenanters of the Pentland Rising who were defeated at the Battle of Rullion Green in 1666. The monument was erected in 1884 by R A Macfie of Dreghorn House, and incorporates columns taken from the 18th-century Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, designed by William Adam and demolished the previous year.[6]
In the 19th century it had been the home of Robert Andrew Macfie.
As part of the Future Force 2020 budgetary announcement in July 2011, RAF Kirknewton was to have been developed into a major Army base to host a Multi-Role Brigade[7] and Dreghorn Barracks was earmarked for disposal.[7] However plans to develop Kirknewton as an Army barracks were scrapped in March 2013 and Dreghorn Barracks will now be retained.[8]
Dreghorn is one of the three barracks comprising the City of Edinburgh Garrison.
Dreghorn Barracks had 670 UK Armed Forces Service personnel based there at 1 January 2024.[9]
Current units
editCurrent units stationed at the barracks include:
- 3rd Battalion, The Rifles.[10]
- Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
- Edinburgh Troop, 521 EOD Squadron, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps[11]
See also
edit- Armed forces in Scotland
- List of British Army installations
- Military history of Scotland
- Redford Barracks – located close to Dreghorn Barracks, in Colinton
References
edit- ^ "Defence Estates Development Plan 2009 – Annex A". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 3 July 2009. p. A1. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "William Alexander Ross". Dictionary of Scottish Architects.
- ^ a b Historic Environment Scotland. "Redford Road, Dreghorn Barracks, comprising Guard House, Barrack Block, Band Block, and Battalion Headquarters (Category C Listed Building) (LB49566)". Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ "Dreghorn Barracks". Gazetteer for Scotland.
- ^ a b Historic Environment Scotland. "Dreghorn Castle (51789)". Canmore. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Redford Road, Covenanters' Monument (Category B Listed Building) (LB27809)". Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Defence Basing Review". House of Commons Library. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "BBC News - Army bases: Fewer than expected troops to return to Scotland". BBC. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
- ^ "Dreghorn Barracks – Question for Ministry of Defence (UIN 23298)". UK Parliament. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
- ^ "The Rifles". British Army units 1945 on. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ "11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment". British Army. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
External links
edit- Edinburgh HIVE, Dreghorn Barracks Archived 13 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Defence
- "Dreghorn Castle". RootsWeb. Archived from the original on 18 February 2009.