The Royal Scots are the oldest, and therefore most senior, infantry regiment of the line in the British Army, having been raised in 1633 during the reign of Charles I of England. Their nickname is Pontius Pilate's bodyguard, from a legend that prior to the Resurrection Christ's tomb was guarded by Caledonian (Scottish) legionaries. The Royal Scots' claim to be decended from this unit is unsubstantiated.

As of 2004, the Royal Scots was one of five line infantry regiments never to be amalgamated in its entire history, a claim shared by:

• The Green Howards
• The 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment
• The Royal Welch Fusiliers
• The King's Own Scottish Borderers

Restructuring of the Infantry

In 2004, as part of the British Government's defence review, it was announced that Scotland would lose an infantry battalion. This will be achieved through the amalgamation of the Royal Scots with the King's Own Scottish Borderers, with the single battalion forming part of the new Royal Regiment of Scotland.