Campaigners oppose a reduction in the number of regiments

The proposal would reduce the number of Scottish infantry regiments from six to five - in line with government plans to reduce numbers across the UK.

The Army released a statement on Wednesday, two days after a meeting of the Council of Scottish Colonels.

Campaigners said the recommendation to create one large regiment of five battalions confirmed their worst fears.

Murdo Fraser, Tory MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, said it made no sense to reduce the size of the armed forces.

"It is a sad day for Scotland as we will now see the end of Scotland's historic regiments," he said.

"Labour should be utterly ashamed of the savage changes they are sweeping in.

'Gallant service'

"The connection between regiments and their local area where they traditionally recruit will now be lost.

"It is absurd that Labour is willing to see the end of their gallant service."

However, the Tory reaction to the proposals has sparked a political row.

Everyone's worst fears have been confirmed with this proposal to amalgamate or disband all of Scotland's historic regiments and replace it with the creation of a synthetic so-called super regiment Angus Robertson SNP defence spokesman

On Tuesday, leader Michael Howard said he would resurrect any regiment which was cut by Labour.

But on Wednesday the party's defence spokesman, Nicholas Soames, told BBC Radio Scotland's Newsdrive programme that a regiment could not be reinstated after it had been axed.

He said that if the Tories got into power in May and the changes had not yet taken place, they would stop them "dead in their tracks".

But he said: "Once a regiment has gone it cannot be brought back."

The Scottish National Party described it as an extraordinary gaffe.

It has promised to continue to support the campaign to save regiments.

Historic regiment

SNP defence spokesman Angus Robertson MP said: "This a sad day for Scotland's regimental tradition.

"Unfortunately, everyone's worst fears have been confirmed with this proposal to amalgamate, or disband, all of Scotland's historic regiments and replace it with the creation of a synthetic so-called super-regiment."

The Save the Scottish Regiments group is campaigning against the cuts and is planning to field candidates against Labour at the next general election.

Options considered

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon announced in July that one Scottish battalion would be disbanded as part of the defence spending review.

The number of infantry regiments in the UK as a whole will be cut from 40 to 36.

The statement released by the Army on Wednesday said the colonels had considered "all the options" over the future of the regiments and discussed several solutions.

The emphasis will be on preserving and continuing the heritage of the existing regiments though the named battalions Army spokesperson

"They recommended the formation of a large regiment of five battalions wearing a common base uniform, with battalion uniform variations," said a spokesperson.

"This will include established regimental names in battalion titles within an over-arching new regimental name.

"The emphasis will be on preserving and continuing the heritage of the existing regiments through the named battalions, which will continue to recruit predominantly in their traditional regimental areas."

The statement confirmed that the council had recommended that the reduction in the number of battalions would be achieved through a "union" of the Royal Scots and the King's Own Scottish Borderers.

The proposals, which will now be passed to the Army board, remain a recommendation until they secure ministerial approval.

A final announcement will be made before Christmas, with the changes due to come into force by 2008.