HMS Scotia

26/06/2026

☀️ The final day of the weekend's exercise saw our reservists get out and enjoy the Scottish summer.

🥾 Taking advantage of the good weather's the ship's company put on their walking boots to walk from Crail to Elie. Stopping at Crail putting green to put their skills to the test, The Scottish Fisheries Museum to learn about Fife's nautical history, and finishing the day on beach at Elie Seaside Sauna...though it's rare that the air temperature in Scotland is close to a sauna!

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The weekend truly demonstrated all the Royal Naval Reserve has to offer; from developing technical skills vital to reservists to physical challenges and time spent with friends.

25/06/2026

🕵️‍♂️ The next phase of training moved to a top secret classified location. For now the majority of training conducted is limited by the official secrets act and will only become public in years to come. But there were opportunities to explore military history and heritage.

📍This classified location just off the B940 in the East Neuk of Fife, just over the field from Airdrie farm, gave ship's company a chance to experience a rather different evening.

😉 Truly a unique location, and we're grateful to the work of our very own Lt."Bond" for organising this top secret visit.

25/06/2026

⚕️This weekend HMS Scotia undertook Exercise Horizon Medic undertaking multi-service medical training alongside reservists from the British Army , Royal Air Force and regular personnel from the The Bands of HM Royal Marines.

🤕 The weekend began at Leuchars Station, with initial lectures on medical skills and CBRN before reservists undertook a number of exercise scenarios to practice their skills. With Scotians joined on exercise by members of the Royal Naval Reserve Medical Branch there was plenty of highly skilled personnel to contribute.

👮‍♂️ The exercise proved invaluable experience for our reservists and a fantastic opportunity to work alongside reservists and regulars from across the three services!

🕵️‍♂️ But that's not all we did this weekend, with more to follow on training at a top secret location...

24/06/2026

👉 Midshipman Pippa R has dedicated five years to the Royal Naval Reserve — from an Information Operations Rating to passing out from Britannia Naval College in 2025, now preparing for her Fleet Board to become a Sub Lieutenant. ⚓️

🏥 Alongside her Reservist service, Pippa has been a paediatrician since 2016 and became a Paediatric Consultant at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary in 2024. She says the RNR has strengthened her leadership across the NHS, helping her handle a wide range of medical situations with confidence 🩺

One highlight she’ll never forget: “I would not have been a part of the King’s Coronation in London was it not for the Royal Naval Reserves.”

A brilliant example of how Reserve service can elevate your skills, your confidence and your career — at sea and ashore. ⚓️💙

24/06/2026

👉 Lieutenant Commander Mark D’s story is one of exceptional service, leadership, and lifelong commitment to the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Reserve ⚓️

His journey began in the University Royal Naval Unit and HMS Raider, before passing out of Britannia Royal Naval College with the Commodore’s Personal Award. From operations East of Suez to Northern Ireland, Mark built a career defined by responsibility, precision, and courage.

After leaving Regular service to start a family, Mark continued to serve through the Royal Naval Reserve — taking on roles from Training Officer to First Lieutenant, deploying globally with the Carrier Strike Group, and supporting submarine operations at the highest levels.

Today, on Reserves Day, we celebrate people like Mark who balance civilian careers, family life, and service to the nation.

If his journey inspires you, the Royal Naval Reserve is recruiting. Whether you’re early in your career or bringing specialist experience, there’s a place for you to grow, lead, and make a real impact 🤝

24/06/2026

👉 Meet AB Mollie G, a Royal Naval Reserve seamanship specialist and a mechanical designer for Sellafield Ltd. She has recently stepped ashore from an extensive operational mobilisation to the Indo Pacific on board HMS Spey, an offshore patrol vessel ⚓️

During her mobilisation, Mollie supported the UK’s persistent presence in the Indo Pacific, contributing to maritime security, international partnerships, and freedom of navigation. Her experience demonstrates the critical role reservists play in supporting Royal Navy operations across the globe 🌏

Speaking about her experience, Mollie said, “Serving on HMS Spey has been hugely rewarding, both professional and personally.” 🌟

During her five years in the Royal Naval Reserve, she has developed key transferable skills through her training and mobilisation, including adaptability, teamwork, and problem solving. Mollie is now returning to Sellafield Ltd, bringing with her those valuable skills and operational experience. She said, “I am looking forward to applying what I have learned by in a different but equally important mission.”

Reservists rely on the support of employers and Sellafield Ltd said, “We’re proud to support our colleagues who serve as military reservists alongside their day jobs. They provide an outstanding contribution to the safety and security of the UK. And they bring back valuable leadership, resilience, and specialist skills to enhance the work they do to deliver the Sellafield mission.” 💼

Mollie is a perfect example of what is possible blending a civilian career with a part-time military career in the Royal Naval Reserves. ⚓️

24/06/2026

👮‍♂️ Across the Royal Naval Reserve there are some incredible people who balance challenging civilian careers with naval service. Throughout today you'll have a chance to find out a little more about just a few of them!

✌️As Churchill put it "Twice the citizen"

👉 Today we are celebrating Reserves Day as part of Armed Forces Week 🇬🇧

🕣 Throughout the day we will be sharing with you some of our amazing reservists who balance their busy day jobs with a massively rewarding military career 🫡

More to come!

29/05/2026

🔥 A massive BZ to all the Scotians who braved a toasty day last weekend as they took part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival!

🏋️‍♂️ From some of our newest recruits, to more experienced old hands all put in a massive effort truly embodying HMS Scotia's motto "Gang for it"

⁉️ Though we do question the decision of Lt McGillivray to make 26 miles even harder by wearing a weighted vest! Though admittedly it was all in aid of a good cause raising money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, alongside AB Dalziel who also ran in aid of the charity!

🎉 BZ all!

11/05/2026

⚓️ We were delighted to recently welcome Commodore Jo Adey, Commander of the Maritime Reserve to Scotia recently, giving members of the ship's company to get to interact directly and gain a great understanding of the role of the Royal Naval Reserve.

🏆 The evening was also an opportunity for the Commodore alongside the HM Lord-Lieutenant of Fife to present a number of well earned awards to Scotians. From Lord-Lieutenant's award for meritous service to 1* awards for providing medical care following an injury during a training exercise.

👮‍♂️ As Commander of the Maritime Reserves, Commodore Adey, leads the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve and University Royal Naval Unit.