Northern Constabulary is investigating abuse claims

The assaults are alleged to have been authorised by senior officers at Fort George Barracks in Inverness.

Royal Highland Fusiliers' soldiers claimed they suffered unprovoked attacks, known as "bleaching", by colleagues as they slept.

The alleged victims claim to have been beaten with sticks and metal bars.

The assaults were said to have taken place not only at Fort George Barracks but also while the soldiers served in Cyprus.

Regularly bullied

The soldiers claim the attacks were carried out by non-commissioned officers over the past two years.

Northern Constabulary and the military police confirmed they had been called in by the UK Government to launch inquiries into the reports.

One soldier told the Sunday Times newspaper that he had attempted suicide after receiving 10 bleachings at Fort George and in Cyprus.

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram said the Army's Special Investigation Branch (SIB) would probe the allegations.

I would call upon anyone with information about the wrongdoing that these allegations point to come forward. They have nothing to fear Adam Ingram Armed Forces Minister

He said: "There is an SIB investigation under way into the anonymous allegations that have been made.

"I would call upon anyone with information about the wrongdoing that these allegations point to come forward. They have nothing to fear."

Police in the Highlands confirmed that they had been asked by Scotland's solicitor-general Elish Angiolini QC to conduct a parallel investigation.

Detective Sergeant Eddie Ross said: "We have been asked by the procurator fiscal to investigate allegations of assault upon recruits stationed at Fort George, which were brought to our attention by reports in the press.

"We would urge any soldiers with information regarding the allegations to contact us directly."

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "We can confirm an SIB investigation is under way."