Find a detachment
Our stats
400+
Cadets
150+
Dedicated adult volunteers
22
Detachments covering the Scottish Highlands & Islands
Key Information & Contacts
Col. Tim Martin
Commandant
Our five Companies are badged under the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and proudly wear the distinctive blue hackle of The Highlanders (4 Scots), and our Battery have their cadets proudly badged under the Lovat Scouts.
The 34 detachments are organised as follows:
Caithness Company has its Headquarters based in the ACF Centre, Princes Street in Thurso. There are 6 detachments within the company covering the Caithness and Sutherland areas.
Inverness Company has its Headquarters based in the Battalion’s Headquarters at Gordonville Road in Inverness. There are 6 detachments within the company, mainly around the Inverness area but also have detachments as far down as Aviemore and Fort William.
Western Isles Company has its Headquarters based at the Army Reserve Centre on Church Street in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. There are 6 detachments within the company, all between, Lewis, Harris and the Uists.
Moray Company has its Headquarters based at the Army Reserve Centre on Edgar Road in Elgin. There are 6 detachments within the company, including the battalion’s Pipes and Drums detachment, stretching from Culloden over to Elgin.
Ross Company has its Headquarters based at the Battalion’s Cadet Training Centre in Dingwall. There are 6 detachments within the company from Dornoch, down to Dingwall and across to Portree on the Isle of Skye
Orkney & Shetland Battery has 4 detachments within the battery across the Orkney and Shetland Isles.
1942 – The origins of our Battalion date back to the formation of the Northern Counties Army Cadet Force, consisting of six separate Counties. Cadets were badged and uniformed according to their regimental recruiting areas: Seaforth (Moray, Ross & Cromarty, Lewis), 5 Seaforth (Caithness & Sutherland), and Camerons (Inverness, Harris & Uist).
1962 – The six Counties were unified into a single Battalion under one Commandant, marking the beginning of a more centralised command structure.
1968 – Following a change in Secretariats, the Battalion was re-badged under the Queen’s Own Highlanders and renamed the North Highland Army Cadet Force.
1975 – The unit became the 1st Cadet Battalion Queen’s Own Highlanders Army Cadet Force, further aligning with its parent regiment.
1982 – The Battalion was re-designated again as the Queen’s Own Highlanders Battalion Army Cadet Force.
1999 – A significant milestone occurred when the Battalion was re-badged under The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons & Camerons) and renamed 1st Battalion The Highlanders Army Cadet Force.
2007 – On 12 May, at Cameron Barracks in Inverness, the Battalion was formally re-badged as part of The Royal Regiment of Scotland and presented with its new Banner. The full title became 1st Battalion The Highlanders Army Cadet Force (The Royal Regiment of Scotland).
2018 – On 1 January, the Battalion grew further by incorporating the Orkney and Shetland Independent Cadet Batteries, forming the Orkney & Shetland Battery. These cadets proudly retained the cap badge of the Lovat Scouts.
Today, we proudly stand as the Army Cadet Force’s largest Cadet County, honouring our heritage while continuing to serve and inspire communities across the Highlands and Islands.
Welcome to the 1st Battalion The Highlanders Army Cadets – the largest Cadet County in the UK and proud home to nearly 600 cadets and 120 adult volunteers across 34 detachments throughout the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
With its headquarters based in Inverness, the Battalion is structured into five Companies and one Battery. Each Company is proudly badged under the Royal Regiment of Scotland and wears the iconic blue hackle of The Highlanders (4 SCOTS), while the Orkney & Shetland Battery carries the distinctive cap badge of the Lovat Scouts.
Our detachments span from Caithness to the Western Isles, and from Moray to the Isle of Skye, providing young people with opportunities to build confidence, develop skills, and form lifelong friendships. With a proud history dating back to 1942, the 1st Battalion The Highlanders Army Cadets continues to honour its heritage while preparing cadets for bright futures as part of their local communities and beyond.
-
Success Stories
Sgt Aitken, from Brae Detachment, receiving a Silver Medal in the 51 (Scottish) Brigade Cadet Forces First Aid Competition in the Young Adult First Aid Competition
Latest News & Media Updates
Get all the latest news from detachments across the UK, including inspiring stories, amazing expeditions, and upcoming events.
Volunteers’ Week Spotlight: Lt Gina Allsop
6 June 2026
Volunteers’ Week Spotlight: Sgt Helen Hughes
5 June 2026
Volunteers’ Week Spotlight: Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Oxford
4 June 2026
Contact Information
HRFCA Sub OfficeGordonville Road
Inverness
Highland
IV2 4SU
- Email us: hi-1hldrs-ao@rfca.org.uk
- Call us: 01463 231829
Join Army Cadets today!
Join the Army Cadets to embark on an exciting adventure, develop valuable skills, and build lifelong friendships for young people between 12 to 18.
