If you're researching your Scottish military family history, few regiments are as iconic — or as historically rich — as The Royal Scots. As the oldest line infantry regiment in the British Army, The Royal Scots played a critical role during the First World War. With dozens of battalions raised and thousands of men serving, this regiment offers a powerful link to the past for anyone tracing WWI Scottish soldiers.
In this guide, we’ll explore the history of The Royal Scots Regiment during WWI, where they fought, and — most importantly — how you can trace a WWI soldier from Scotland who may have served in its ranks. Whether you’re building a military family tree or seeking help tracing soldiers from Scotland in WW1, this article is your starting point.
Who Were The Royal Scots?
The Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) were established in 1633, making them the oldest infantry regiment in the British Army. By the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, the regiment had already earned battle honours across centuries of service.
During WWI, The Royal Scots expanded rapidly. Over the course of the war, the regiment formed more than 30 battalions, with soldiers drawn mainly from Edinburgh, the Lothians, and across Scotland.
Trace WW1 soldiers from Scotland military records.
Where Did The Royal Scots Fight in WWI?
The Royal Scots were heavily involved in almost every major theatre of the war. Their battalions saw action on the Western Front, in Gallipoli, the Middle East, and beyond.
🪖 Western Front
Most Royal Scots battalions were deployed to France and Flanders, participating in key battles such as:
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The Battle of Mons
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The Battle of the Somme
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The Battle of Ypres (including Passchendaele)
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The German Spring Offensive of 1918
🪖 Gallipoli Campaign
The 1/4th and 1/7th Battalions served in the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign in 1915, enduring brutal conditions and high casualties.
🪖 Salonika and Palestine
Later in the war, some battalions were transferred to the Balkans and the Middle East, taking part in campaigns in Salonika and Palestine.
How to Trace a Royal Scots Soldier from WWI
If you believe your ancestor served with The Royal Scots during WWI, you’re in luck: many of the regiment’s records have survived and are accessible to researchers. Here's how to get started:
1. Begin with Name, Birth Date & Residence
Start by gathering your ancestor’s full name, approximate birth date, and where they lived before the war — particularly if they were from Edinburgh or the Lothians. You can trace British army ancestors by name and birth date.
Many soldiers enlisted in local regiments, so these details are essential to trace a WW1 soldier from the UK accurately.
2. Search for Service Records and Medal Index Cards
British Army service records are key to uncovering a soldier’s journey. If your ancestor served with The Royal Scots, their records may include:
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Enlistment and discharge dates
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Battalion details
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Rank and promotions
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Battles fought
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Injuries or hospitalization
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Medal awards
Medal index cards are especially useful and typically include a service number and regiment name.
For information on how to find WW1 ancestor’s medal card click here.
3. Look for Regimental War Diaries
The Royal Scots’ battalions kept detailed war diaries that recorded their daily movements, battles, casualties, and notable events. These are housed at The National Archives and can help you follow your ancestor’s footsteps across the Western Front or Gallipoli.
Even if your ancestor isn’t named, war diaries provide vivid context for what they experienced.
To find out more about regimental war diaries for Royal Scots WW1 click here.
4. Use Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Records
If your ancestor died in service, the CWGC database may include:
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Full name
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Regiment and battalion
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Service number
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Date of death and burial or memorial location
This can also help confirm your ancestor’s regiment and link to further records.
5. Investigate Local Scottish Archives
Many Royal Scots soldiers were commemorated in local Rolls of Honour, war memorials, or newspapers in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. Libraries and regional archives may hold photographs, casualty lists, or even handwritten letters from the front.
For related help tracing soldiers from Scotland in WW1 try here.
What If You Don’t Know the Regiment?
If you're unsure whether your ancestor served with The Royal Scots, there are still ways to find out. Check family photographs for uniform clues, review letters or memorabilia, and search for service numbers. Often, service numbers can indicate a particular regiment or battalion.
Absent Voter Lists from 1918–1919 may also mention the soldier’s unit — especially helpful if they survived the war.
There is also help on how to trace British army ancestor using service number.
Why The Royal Scots Matter in Military Family History
The Royal Scots’ legacy is vast, and their role in WWI was both heroic and tragic. More than 100,000 men served in the regiment during the First World War, and over 11,000 gave their lives. Tracing your ancestor in The Royal Scots is not only a step toward understanding your family history — it's a way of honouring their sacrifice.
Whether you're building a military family tree or researching British army WW1 records, uncovering a connection to The Royal Scots is a significant and meaningful discovery.
📌 Need help tracing a Royal Scots ancestor or navigating complex WWI military records? Our professional military ancestry research service can help you uncover battalion histories, locate regimental records, and bring your ancestor’s story to life.