A community has celebrated its historic ties with a Scottish Army regiment in a special ceremony to honour their shared heritage.

Residents of the Wyndford housing scheme in Maryhill, Glasgow, handed over ceremonial keys to soldiers from the 6 Scots Royal Regiment of Scotland in recognition of the significant military history of the site.

Wyndford was built on the site of the Maryhill Barracks, which was once home to the Highlands Light Infantry and the Royal Highland Fusiliers – and is still referred to as the Barracks locally.

The Victorian barracks were built in 1872, but were decommissioned in the 1960s when the site was given over to social housing.

Cube Housing Association, part of Wheatley Group, helped organise the ceremony to mark the site’s unique heritage and links with the Army.

The Barracks’ original wall and gate are still in place and remain an integral part of the area and each of Wyndford’s multi-storey blocks bear the names of recipients of the Victoria Cross, who were once based at the Barracks.

The VC is the highest award of the United Kingdom honours system and is awarded for gallantry in the face of the enemy.

Traditionally, Barracks’ buildings were named after soldiers from the regiment who had been decorated with the VC.

Soldiers from 6th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, one of the successor regiment to the Highlands Light Infantry and the Royal Highland Fusiliers collected the keys on behalf of the Army at a special ceremony during a community event bringing together Cube staff, customers and partners including the police and Scottish Fire and Rescue.

Honorary Colonel, Brigadier Charlie Coull and Lt. Colonel Jules McIlheney were given the keys by Cube Board member and Wyndford resident of 46 years, Bill Carroll.

The occasion was marked by music from St Francis Pipe Band and a DJ, as well as face painting, children’s rides and free food and drink.

Cube director David MacKenzie said: “We are proud of the military heritage of the Wyndford Estate, and the men who served here.

“As part of Cube’s recent multi-storey flat foyer upgrades we ensured this heritage was not lost to the community. Each of the soldiers stories of how they came to be awarded the VC including what happened to them has been researched and presented on a large sign in each of our new foyers along with a photo of the soldier.

“We are delighted to keep those memories alive, and to continue to forge links with their successors.”