Shetland Pony Cruachan IV, the mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, take a nibble from a posy held by Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Stirling Castle, as she marked 70 years since being appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
A cheeky Shetland was given a royal telling-off after attempting to eat The Queen’s flowers.
Her Majesty was visiting Stirling Castle and had been handed a bouquet as she arrived for mass yesterday (Thursday, 6 July) afternoon.
As The Queen made her way into the chapel, she paused to speak to Lance Corporal Cruachan IV — the regimental mascot of the Royal Regiment of Scotland — and his handler.
The sharp-eyed pony made a swipe for the flowers and was firmly told to “go away” by the monarch, who tucked the bouquet safely behind her back and gave him a pat.
The tradition started in 1928 when Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, presented a Shetland pony to her regiment.
The name Cruachan comes from the war cry of Clan Campbell and he leads the regiment on parade on formal occasions and represents the regiment at events across Scotland.
According to the Sutherland and Argyll Highlanders’ Museum, his saddlecloth is Government Tartan 1A and gold, with an embroidered regimental badge.
He has a stripe of a lance corporal and two medals — one for the regiment’s service in Afghanistan and one for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Earlier that day, the Queen also visited some of Scotland’s most famous horses — the Kelpies.
Inspiration for The Kelpies came from the horses which pulled boats along the towpaths of the Forth & Clyde & Union Canals. #holyroodweekpic.twitter.com/dtIGxHfSnJInspiration for The Kelpies came from the horses which pulled boats along the towpaths of the Forth & Clyde & Union Canals. #holyroodweekpic.twitter.com/dtIGxHfSnJ— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 5, 2017— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 5, 2017
A new section of canal which runs beneath the sculptures was officially named after Her Majesty as the Queen Elizabeth II Canal.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh took a boat trip before meeting two Clydesdales — Spencer and Harry — in front of the Kelpies and sculptor Andy Scott.
Gratis Editorial photo:
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh boarded the Seagull Trust barge the ‘Wooden Spoon Seagull’ and led a flotilla along Scotland’s newest canal section, built as part of the £43m Helix project which features the internationally-acclaimed, 30-metre-high Kelpies sculptures, before unveiling a plaque officially naming the new section the Queen Elizabeth II Canal.
The Queen is photographed with Andy Scott, creator of The Kelpies, Steve Dunlop chief exec of Scottish Canals and 2 Clydesdale Horses with he used to create the sculptures.
picture/Peter Sandground
(Image credit: Civil Service)
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
