MAJOR LAYDEN is already a well-known face to members of the Serving Coy and to members of the Regimental Association, and has been much photographed as previous issues of the Gazette will show. The face is well known; the man is not. So, it is the intention of this series to show a little more of the lives of Regimental personalities than they themselves would often care to show. Major Layden came to The London Scottish as a young Captain in the Royal Scots in November, 1977, his fortunes having brought him from Edinburgh to London at about the time the Scottish Devolution Bill was gathering momentum in Parliament. In civilian life he is a Parliamentary Draftsman, and presently Assistant Legal Secretary at the Lord Advocate's department, Westrninster.

He started his military service long ago in 1967 (about the time Sgt Granger started prep-school) enlisting in the Edinburgh University Officer Training Corps whilst reading for his degree in Law there. After the requisite number of years in the ranks, he was commissioned in 1970 and posted to the 2nd Bn, 52nd Lowland Volunteers (Royal Scots Coy) as a Pln Commander, and in spite of his busy new career as a TA Officer, graduated with honours from Edinburgh University. He was called to the Scottish Bar in 1973. After serving various junior regimental postings, Major Layden (then Lt Layden, mind you) was promoted to Captain and became Regimental Signals Officer 2/52 Lowland, and remained in the posting until he transferred to 1/51 Highland.

He was appointed 2IC of G Coy at the time of Major H. S. Treseder's command, and soon made himself a reputation as a skilled administrator and a fearless leader. When Major Treseder unfortunately relinquished command of the Coy late in 1978, Major Layden found himself wearing the OC's TOS - it fitted, and he was promoted to his present rank. The duties of Coy Commander he performs with distinction and excellence, and the Coy is fortunate to have such a man. At 29, Major Layden is possibly one of the youngest Coy Commanders in the business - he attributes this rapid rise to fame rather to good luck than good management, but he has worked very hard to get there all the same.

Major Layden devotes a considerable amount of his time and energy to G Coy and other Regimental affairs - the Coy training programme is constant and very demanding, and he performs all his duties with good humour and imagination. His native dourness conceals an active mind and intelligent wit.

When Regimental duties permit, Major Layden likes to visit the Opera, and occasionally amuses the Jocks with a song himself. Otherwise he enjoys sitting at home with a bottle of rare vintage port, reading the works of Sir Walter Scott. He is a bachelor and lives in Wimbledon.