Greenock man who joined the army at 16 has risen through the ranks to become the top soldier in Scotland

Scott McFadden, who was brought up in Broomhill, has returned north of the border to be appointed Garrison Sergeant Major at Edinburgh Castle.

The dad-of-two has spent more than half his life in the army, toured Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia and held a top position at Sandhurst.

But his career wasn't mapped out as no-one in his immediate family had been in the military.

He said: "I was the first man in my family to voluntarily join the army.

"The recruiting officer sensed that I might have been interested and came to my door and took me to Redford Barracks in Edinburgh for a tour and I was hooked."

He joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and spent three years in Northern Ireland, he has completed tours of Iraq and Bosnia and three tours of Afghanistan.

Scott, 38, started as a private with the 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders but soon rose to become a sergeant and was platoon commander in Helmand Province.

He returned back to Britain and Sandhurst where he undertook a gruelling course to become a Colour Sergeant instructor.

After two years he was posted to Germany then returned to Sandhurst as Company Sergeant Major in charge of 100 men.

He then made history by becoming the first soldier from the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the first non-guard Scotsman in 200 years to become Regiment Sergeant Major of Old College at the exclusive Sandhurst Academy.

Scott said: "I've had a fantastic time and travelled all over the world.

"The army puts you through all your education, right up to degree level."

Scott, a former pupil at Wellington Academy, said: "I left school with zero qualifications, nothing and the army took me through it all.

"It's been unbelievable.

"When I was at Sandhurst I met royal families from all over the world, the British Royal Family and from the Middle East.

"Prince Harry is a lovely guy and the King and Queen of Jordan have long ties with Sandhurst."

Scott is keen to promote the army and says he'd encourage anyone interested in joining.

He said: "I don't think people realise the possibilities. We're not in the news anymore but things are still happening and people are doing spectacular things."

Scott is married to Michelle, 36, who is also from Greenock, and they have three children - Logan, 10, Cameron, 12, and their niece Chantelle, 16, who has lived with them for a year, they are delighted to be back in Scotland.

He said: "The boys have been forced to grow up quicker than I would have liked them to because we move every two years, so they had to learn to make friends quickly in different environments."

They are now settled in Queen Victoria Boarding School in Dunblane which means Scott and Michelle can see them at weekends.

It also means they can see Scott's parents James and Avril - who live in Greenock's Aberfoyle Road - more often and get to know their Scottish cousins.

Scott said: "It's the first time I've been based in Scotland for 20 years, as I left Edinburgh when I was a teenager.

"It's the first time the boys have lived here."

Scott's parents are thrilled by all his achievements.

Avril, 63, said: "We are so proud of him, he's went above and beyond in his career.

"He's a good lad and very down to earth.

"It's great for them to be back in Scotland, it's so much easier for us to see them.

"The whole family is doing well, we really proud of them."

Avril said she knew her son was determined to do well in life.

She said: "I remember one summer he wouldn't go out and I asked him why and he said all his friends were on drugs and he didn't want to get involved in that.

"I knew he wanted to better himself."

Dad James, 67, added: "He's given 100 per cent and his hard work and dedication to the army has brought him rewards he deserves, he's been all over the world and not just in combat zones.

"He's the top Scots non-commissioned officer and was the first Scot to gain the rank of RSM at Sandhurst, that is a great achievement.

"Not bad for a wee boy who joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at 16."