View source for University Royal Naval Unit East Scotland

{{Short description|Royal Navy training establishment in Edinburgh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
| unit_name                     = University Royal Naval Unit East Scotland
| native_name                   = 
| image                         = URNUES Crest.png
| caption                       = [[Naval heraldry#Royal Navy|Crest Of URNU East Scotland]]
| country                       = {{flagu|United Kingdom}}
| branch                        = {{navy|United Kingdom}}
| colours                       = {{Color box|darkblue|border=darkgray}} [[Navy Blue]]<br/>
{{Color box|gold|border=darkgray}} [[Gold (color)|Gold]]
| role                          = [[Officer (armed forces)#United Kingdom|Officer Training]]
| command_structure             = [[Britannia Royal Naval College]]<br/>
[[University Service Units]]
| equipment                     = [[HMS Archer (P264)|HMS ''Archer'']]
| garrison                      = [[Hepburn House]], Edinburgh<br/>[[RMR Strathmore Avenue]], Dundee
| dates                         = 1967–present ({{Years ago|1967}} years)
* 1967–2012 : Aberdeen
* 2012–2022 : Edinburgh
* 2022–present : East Scotland
| current_commander             = Lt Megan Burgoyne (2024-)<ref name="RN-URNUE"/>
| notable_commanders            = Lt 
[[Tim Fraser]] RN (1989-1991)<br/>Lt [[John Clink]] RN (1991-1993)<br/>Lt Cdr Richard Bridges RN (1974-1975)
| website                       = [https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/EdinburghURNU royalnavy.mod.uk]
| nickname                      = URNUES<br/>URNU East Scotland<br/>{{'}}East Scotland{{'}}<br/>{{'}}Scotland{{'}}{{#tag:ref|The nickname 'Scotland' is usually only used when no other Scottish units (URNU Glasgow) are present.|group="nb"}}<br/>{{'}}Edinburgh{{'}}{{#tag:ref|Even though the unit is no longer named URNU Edinburgh, the nickname lives on, due the location of the unit's HQ and due to the fact that its largest contingent of Officer Cadets are based in Edinburgh.|group="nb"}}
| type                          = Training establishment
| size                          = ~ 65 Officer Cadets<br/>~ 8 Training Staff<br/>3 Permanent Staff
| march                         = Official – [[Heart of Oak]]<br/>Unofficial – [[Scotland the Brave]]
| motto                         = "The Original and Best"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aurnu.co.uk/archer.htm |title=Wayback machine - AURNU |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709072408/http://www.aurnu.co.uk/archer.htm |archive-date=9 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| mascot                        = The [[Unicorn#Scotland|Unicorn]]
}}
{{Royal Navy}}

The '''University Royal Naval Unit East Scotland''' ('''URNU East Scotland''' or '''URNUES''') (<small>[[Received Pronunciation|RP]]: </small>{{IPAc-en|ˈ|ər|.|n|uː|_|...}} {{respell|UHR|noo|_|...}}, <small>[[Scottish English|SSE]]: </small>{{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɜːr|.|n|uː|_|...}} {{respell|ERR|noo|_|...}}) is one of 17 [[University Royal Naval Unit]]s and a [[Royal Navy]] training establishment based in [[Scotland]], accepting roughly 65 [[Officer Cadet#Royal Navy|Officer Cadets]] from [[universities]] in [[Edinburgh]], [[Fife]] and the [[Tayside region]].<ref name="RN-URNUE">{{cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/EdinburghURNU|title=Royal Navy - URNU East Scotland|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=2022-04-15}}</ref> It is one of the [[University Service Units]] and is under the command of [[Britannia Royal Naval College]], Dartmouth. The unit's affiliated [[Archer-class patrol vessel|P2000]] ship is [[HMS Archer (P264)|HMS ''Archer'']], which is predominantly used for training Officer Cadets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/patrol/archer-class/hms-archer|title=Royal Navy - HMS Archer|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=2022-04-15}}</ref>

The unit is commanded by its [[commanding officer]] (CO), usually a full-time Royal Navy [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]], [[Lieutenant commander (Royal Navy)|Lieutenant Commander]] or [[Royal Marines]] [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|Captain]]. The remainder of its staff consists of a full-time [[Chief petty officer#United Kingdom|Chief Petty Officer]] acting as the unit [[Coxswain#Navy|Coxswain]] (Cox'n or Coxn), a [[Royal Naval Reserve]] Lieutenant as the unit's Senior Training Officer (STO) and a number of Training Officers (TOs), who vary between Royal Naval Reserve [[Sub-lieutenant#Acting sub-lieutenant|Acting Sub-Lieutenants]],<ref>{{cite web|title=BR3, Ch 110 – The University Royal Naval Units and Cadet Forces|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/~/media/royal%20navy%20responsive/documents/reference%20library/br%203/br3book/ch110.pdf|website=Royal Navy Books of Reference|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=2015-12-31}}</ref> [[Sub-Lieutenant#Navies|Sub-Lieutenants]] and Lieutenants. This format, with the exception of rank, roughly mirrors the training staff and format of BRNC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DartmouthBRNC/status/1521391456493129728|title=Captain BRNC STO Twitter Post|publisher=Captain BRNC|access-date=2022-05-05}}</ref> In addition, the unit has a Unit Administration Officer (UAO), who is a [[civilian]] and does not wear uniform.<ref name="RN-URNUE"/>

URNU East Scotland primarily operates out of two locations, and is split into three divisions. Two of its divisions are based in [[Hepburn House]], in Edinburgh, with its third division being based at RMR Strathmore Avenue, in [[Dundee]]. These two locations, while geographically separated, operate as one unit, and Officer Cadets train interchangeably at both locations.

==History==
===Aberdeen===
[[File:The Gordon Barracks, Bridge of Don.jpg|thumb|left|[[Gordon Barracks]] in Aberdeen, the old home of the Aberdeen URNU]]
URNU East Scotland is the oldest of all the URNUs and was originally formed in 1967 as the '''Aberdeen Universities' Royal Naval Unit''' (AURNU) in [[Aberdeen]], Scotland to encourage [[STEM]] undergraduates to join the RN from the [[University of Aberdeen]] and [[Robert Gordon University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navy-net.co.uk/community/threads/aberdeen-urnu-40th-anniversary-dinner.34807/|title=Aberdeen UNRU Reunion page|date=20 March 2007 |publisher=Navy Net|access-date=2022-04-15}}</ref> The unit was based at [[Gordon Barracks]] in [[Bridge of Don]], in the north of the city.

Aberdeen URNU's first training ship was [[HMS Thornham (M2793)|HMS ''Thornham'']], which was converted to a training ship at the [[Rosyth Dockyard|Royal Naval Dockyard Rosyth]] in 1967 for the use of the unit. After the ship was broken up in 1985, the units training duties were moved to [[HMS Chaser (P282)|HMS ''Chaser'']], being replaced by [[HMS Archer (P264)|HMS ''Archer'']] in 1991. During the entire time the three ships were based there, they were the northernmost commissioned warships in the Royal Naval Fleet.<ref name="NNMay97">{{cite web|url=
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/royal-navy-responsive/images/navynews/archivepdfs/1990s/1997/navy-news-may-1997-issue-514.pdf?rev=1212fc1d60c54774aaeaab7e6c960b78|title=Navy News May 1997|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=2022-12-17}}</ref>

In 1978, HMS Thornham, with AURNU OCs on board, became the first foreign warship to visit the [[Denmark|Danish]] city of [[Roskilde]] since the [[Viking]] times,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marinehist.dk/SVNORI/SVNORI-1979-01-09.pdf|title=Flådebesøg i 1978|publisher=Søværns-Orientering|access-date=2022-08-09}}</ref> when the five [[Skuldelev ships]] were sunk in the waterway of Peberrenden, {{circa|20km}} north of the city.

After being a male-only unit for its first 20 years, Aberdeen URNU finally allowed women to join its ranks in 1987, being the first URNU nation-wide to do so.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://docplayer.net/135234967-Town-gown-and-gun-a-centennial-history-of-aberdeen-universities-officers-training-corps-jb-duffus.html|title=History of Aberdeen UOTC|publisher=Aberdeen UOTC|access-date=2022-08-09}}</ref> Women initially joined wearing the cap badge and uniform of the [[Women's Royal Naval Service]], before its full integration into the Royal Navy in 1993.

For a period between 1989 and 1991, while HMS ''Archer'' was being handed off to the Aberdeen URNU, the unit was commanded by (then) Lieutenant [[Tim Fraser]], who is the former [[Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff]], holding the rank of [[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]].<ref name="NLR Fraser">{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=2323|title=NLR Fraser|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref><ref name="Tim Fraser">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/tim-fraser|title=Tim Fraser Biography|publisher=Gov.uk|access-date=2022-05-19}}</ref> Immediately following Lt Fraser's command of the unit, between 1991 and 1993 AURNU and HMS ''Archer'' were commanded by (then) Lieutenant [[John Clink]], who subsequently achieved the rank of [[Rear Admiral (Royal Navy)|Rear Admiral]].<ref name="John Clink">{{cite web|url=https://profilesinfo.com/john-clink-wiki-networth-age/|title=John Clink Biography|publisher=ProfilesInfo|access-date=2022-04-18}}</ref>

In 2005, Aberdeen URNU and HMS Archer had their first female Commanding Officer, (then) Lt Samantha Coulton, less than 5 years after the first female CO of a warship, (then) Lt [[Mel Robinson]] took command of Cardiff URNU (now URNU Wales) and its tender, {{HMS|Express|P163|6}}.

From the 2012 academic year, Aberdeen URNU paused its recruitment in anticipation of a move to Edinburgh, which occurred the following year.

===Edinburgh===
In 2012,<ref name="ESURNU Scotsman Article">{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/another-string-capitals-bow-navy-training-vessel-sails-1616502|title=ESURNU intro Scotsman|publisher=Scotsman|access-date=2022-04-21}}</ref> the unit and HMS ''Archer'' were moved to the capital, Edinburgh, due to political pressures, allegedly relating to the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|Scottish independence referendum]], which was announced earlier that year.<ref name="chaos">{{cite news |url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/politics/independence-referendum-scotland-facing-constitutional-chaos-1.49754|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109185055/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/politics/independence-referendum-scotland-facing-constitutional-chaos-1.49754|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 January 2014 |title=Independence referendum: Scotland facing constitutional chaos |newspaper=The Courier |first=David |last=Clegg |date=11 January 2012 |access-date=9 January 2014}}</ref> The former Aberdeen URNU was provisionally named the '''East of Scotland Universities' Royal Naval Unit''' ('''ESURNU'''),<ref name="MEC">{{cite web|url=https://www.abdn.ac.uk/staffnet/documents/MEC_minutes_9_Dec_13.pdf|title=MEC minutes|publisher=Aberdeen MEC|access-date=2022-04-21}}</ref> before soon changing its name to the '''Edinburgh Universities' Royal Naval Unit''' (EURNU). The unit was moved to [[Hepburn House]] in [[Bonnington, Edinburgh|Bonnington]], northeast of the city centre, while HMS ''Archer'' was moved to be berthed first at [[Rosyth Dockyard|Rosyth]],<ref name="ESURNU Scotsman Article"/> then to its current location in [[Leith]]. As part of this shift, the unit began exclusively recruiting from the [[University of Edinburgh]], [[Heriot-Watt University]], [[Edinburgh Napier University]] and [[Queen Margaret University]].<ref name="RN-URNUE"/>

URNUES, once moving to Edinburgh, gave its commitment to the 15 remaining Aberdeen students to see through their training to the end. They would travel down to Edinburgh or Rosyth periodically for their training.<ref name="MEC"/> One of these students was (then) Hon Mid [[Andrew Bowie (politician)|Andrew Bowie]], who, since becoming a [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] in 2017, has been petitioning the government for the unit and ''Archer''{{'}}s relocation back to Aberdeen,<ref name="BowieAURNU">{{cite web|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/1989933/north-east-mp-calls-for-navy-to-bring-back-uni-reserves-to-aberdeen/|title=North-east MP calls for Navy to bring back uni reserves to Aberdeen|date=February 2020 |publisher=The Press and Journal|access-date=2022-08-19}}</ref> to no avail.

In June 2017, EURNU OCs onboard HMS ''Archer'', in company with HM Ships {{HMS|Smiter|P272|2}}, {{HMS|Ranger|P293|2}} and {{HMS|Exploit|P167|2}}, deployed to [[Baltic Sea|the Baltic]] to take part in [[NATO]]'s [[BALTOPS]] exercise, the first time that Royal Navy P2000s have been involved in such an exercise.<ref name="royalnavy.mod.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/june/30/170630-1st-patrol-boat-squadron-baltops-endeavour |title=1st Patrol Boat Squadron's Baltops endeavour |date=30 June 2017 |website=Royal Navy |access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref> ''Archer'', and OCs from the unit, have been attending the exercise every year since, with the exception of 2022, due to increased tensions in the region following the re-escalation of the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]].

In 2021, in an URNU-wide naming change, the unit was renamed '''University Royal Naval Unit Edinburgh''' (URNUE).<ref name="RN-URNUE"/>

In 2022, URNU Edinburgh opened a satellite division based in [[Dundee]] known then as URNU Edinburgh, [[#Tayside Division|Tayside Division]].

===East Scotland===
In mid-2022, [[Jude Terry|Rear Admiral Jude Terry]], Director of People and Training, approved the change of the unit name from URNU Edinburgh to the '''University Royal Naval Unit East Scotland''' to better reflect the new, expanded footprint of the unit, after the then-recent inclusion of Officer Cadets from the [[Tayside region]], beginning in the autumn of 2021.

==URNU East Scotland today==
{{Location map+|Scotland|float=left|relief=1|width=250
 | caption='''Unit division locations'''
 | places=
{{Location map~|Scotland|lat=55.963081|long=-3.191532|mark=red pog.svg|position=right|label='''[[#Edinburgh|Edinburgh Divisions]]'''}}
{{Location map~|Scotland|lat=56.474661|long=-2.989932|mark=red pog.svg|position=top|label='''[[#Tayside Division|Tayside Division]]'''}}
}}
[[Image:Territorial Army Drill Hall, East Claremont Street - geograph.org.uk - 1343815.jpg|thumbnail|right|Hepburn House in Edinburgh, home of the Edinburgh Divisions]]
The unit is currently split into three divisions, where two of the divisions, the Cunningham and Cochrane divisions, named after two of the Royal Navy's most eminent Scottish Admirals, [[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Adm. of the Fleet]] [[Andrew Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope]] and [[Admiral of the Red|Adm. of the Red]] [[Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald]] respectively, are based in Edinburgh, with the last division, the Tayside division, being based in Dundee. Each of these divisions has a [[Division officer|divisional officer]], in charge of the wellbeing of the division, with the divisional officer for the Tayside division being known as the 'Tayside representative'.

In Edinburgh, the unit uses the basement of Hepburn House as its main training area, consisting of two classrooms, an office, a [[galley (kitchen)|galley]], a casual lounge area (known as the Buffers' Shack) and a [[drill hall]], which is shared with A company, [[52nd Lowland Volunteers|52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland]]. In addition, the unit has use of the Sergeants' [[mess]] on the first floor of the building, dubbing it, in naval fashion, the ''[[Gunroom]]''.

After seeing a slight dip in numbers during the [[COVID-19]] pandemic, the unit has recently expanded to encompass the majority of universities over the east coast of Scotland, and is looking to recruit more Officer Cadets and Training Officers.

The unit is also expanding its outreach and regularly undertakes exercises and adventurous training with its counterparts in the [[Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland|Scotland and Northern Ireland region]], [[University Royal Naval Unit Glasgow & Strathclyde|URNU Glasgow]] and [[University Royal Naval Unit Belfast|URNU Belfast]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/EdinburghURNU/status/1510566707781320704|title=SNI Sports Weekend Twitter Post|access-date=2022-03-03}}</ref>

==Affiliated establishments==
URNU East Scotland is affiliated with a number of ships, which often lend a few spaces on board for Officer Cadets to undergo training. These are never in [[Combat|combat zones]], as URNU OCs are [[non-combatant]]s, however may be in faux-battle scenarios or training exercises, such as [[BALTOPS]].<ref name="royalnavy.mod.uk"/>

URNU East Scotland is also affiliated with a number of other naval and military units, who lend either their buildings, training staff, or expertise, to help train officer cadets. In addition, the unit collaborates with a number of other [[University Service Units]] (USUs) in military training, adventurous training and social events.

The unit is also overseen by a number of [[Council of Military Education Committees of the Universities of the United Kingdom#Military Education Committees (MECs)|Military Education Committees (MECs)]], who uphold the relationship of the USUs with their affiliated universities.

A list of these ships, units and committees is as follows:

[[File:HMS Queen Elizabeth in Gibraltar - 2018 (28386226189).jpg|thumb|HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' in [[Gibraltar]], February 2018]]
[[File:ZZ500 Hawker Beechcraft Avenger T1 (350ER) (cn FL-597) Royal Navy. (9424846675).jpg|thumb|The [[Beechcraft Super King Air#Model 300 military variants|Hawker Beechcraft Avenger T1]], the main training aircraft of 750 Naval Air Squadron]]
[[File:Clockmakers Company Coat of Arms.jpg|thumb|Coat of arms of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers]]

===Ships===
*[[HMS Archer (P264)|HMS ''Archer'']]
*{{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}}
*[[HMS Vanguard (S28)|HMS ''Vanguard'']]<ref name="Affils">{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/patrol/archer-class/hms-archer/archer-affiliations|title=Unit Affiliations|publisher=Royal Navy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506162949/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/patrol/archer-class/hms-archer/archer-affiliations |access-date=2023-05-02|archive-date=6 May 2016 }}</ref>
*[[HMS Diamond (D34)|HMS ''Diamond'']]<ref name="Affils"/>
*[[Twin-screw steamer|TSS]] Caron<ref name="Affils"/>

===Units===
====[[His Majesty's Naval Service|Naval]] Units====
*[[750 Naval Air Squadron]]
*[[819 Naval Air Squadron]] (former, 1967 - 2001)<ref name="NNMay97"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.helis.com/database/sqd/uk_819_naval_air_squadron/|title=819 squadron|publisher=Helis.com|access-date=12 September 2015}}</ref>
*[[HMS Scotia (shore establishment)|HMS ''Scotia'']]
**[[HMS Scotia (shore establishment)#Tay and Forth Divisions|HMS ''Scotia'', Tay Division]]
*[[Royal Marines Reserve]] Scotland
**Royal Marines Reserve Scotland, Dundee Detachment
*[[Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy|Coastal Forces Squadron]]
*[[Sea Cadet Corps (United Kingdom)|Sea Cadet Corps]]<ref name="NNMay97"/>
**Aberdeen Sea Cadets
**Stonehaven Sea Cadets

====[[University Service Units|University Service Units (USUs)]]====
*[[Officers' Training Corps|''University Officers' Training Corps'']]
**[[Officers' Training Corps#Edinburgh|City of Edinburgh UOTC]]
**[[Tayforth UOTC]]
*[[East of Scotland Universities' Air Squadron]]

====[[Council of Military Education Committees of the Universities of the United Kingdom#Military Education Committees (MECs)|Military Education Committees (MECs)]]====
*City of Edinburgh MEC
*Tayforth MEC
*Aberdeen MEC

===Other===
*[[Worshipful Company of Clockmakers]]<ref name="Affils"/>
*Town of [[Stonehaven]]<ref name="Affils"/>
*[[Strongbow Cider]] (informal)<ref name="NNMay97"/>{{#tag:ref|This association between HMS ''Archer'' (and by extension the unit) and the cider brand has been in place since at least 1997,<ref name="NNMay97"/> and originated due to the company's and the ship's link to the 'bow and arrow' iconography.|group="nb"}}

==Training ships==
[[Image:HMS Chaser (P282).png|thumbnail|left|HMS ''Chaser'' off [[Hartlepool]] c.1991]]

The role of a training ship in the unit, sometimes known as the unit's [[Ship's tender|tender]], is to provide opportunities for Officer Cadets to receive practical training and gain experience afloat. The training ships' programmes are generally divided into two durations of training – a weekend, or the longer deployments that take place during the university Easter and summer holidays, which can be 1–3 weeks long.

The wooden name boards of both former training ships, HMS ''Thornham'' and HMS ''Chaser'', currently reside in the primary [[gunroom]] of the unit in [[Hepburn House]].

===HMS ''Thornham''===
{{Main|HMS Thornham (M2793)}}
HMS ''Thornham'', built in 1958, was one of 93 ships of the {{sclass2|Ham|minesweeper|0}} of inshore [[Minesweeper (ship)|minesweepers]] and was named after the [[civil parish]] of [[Thornham, Norfolk|Thornham]] in [[Norfolk]]. She was the [[Aberdeen URNU]]'s first tender, and was based at [[Aberdeen Harbour]] throughout her service with the unit.

She was converted to a training ship at the [[Rosyth Dockyard|Royal Naval Dockyard Rosyth]] in 1967 (just prior to the foundation of AURNU) for the sole use of the unit. The ship was broken up in 1985, and the unit's training duties were handed off to HMS ''Chaser'' the same year.

She gives her name to the 'Thornham Prize', which is given at the annual prize-giving ceremony to the Officer Cadet who shows the most proficiency with working on ship at sea.

===HMS ''Chaser''===
{{Main|HMS Chaser (P282)}}

HMS ''Chaser'' was built in [[Port of Southampton|Southampton]], originally used for RNR training, before being transferred to the Aberdeen URNU in 1985. Like ''Thornham'', she was also permanently based at Aberdeen Harbour for the duration of her service with the unit. She served in her role for six years, until 1991, after which she was decommissioned and sold to the [[Lebanese Navy]] a year later. She is currently in use as the Lebanese patrol boat ''Jbeil''.

===HMS ''Archer''===
{{Main|HMS Archer (P264)}}
[[Image:HMS Archer MOD 45151333.jpg|thumbnail|left|HMS ''Archer'' afloat with a [[Commodore (Royal Navy)|commodore]] onboard]]

HMS ''Archer'' has been the unit's training ship since 1991, and until March 2017,<ref name="PlattURNUCmd"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/HMSArcher/status/839912149103304706|title=Archer Twitter Post|publisher=Twitter|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref> was commanded by the Commanding Officer of the unit. Since then, she has had her own CO, and although her primary role is still to train the Officer Cadets of URNUES, she now performs more tasks with the [[Coastal Forces of the Royal Navy|Coastal Forces Squadron]], of which she is now a member. Officer Cadets from the unit are often taken on board during these deployments to undergo operational training.

She was originally [[Berth (moorings)|berthed]] at Aberdeen Harbour, similar to her two predecessors, until 2012 when the unit was moved to Edinburgh. She was then temporarily based out of [[Rosyth Naval Dockyard]] until final arrangements were made to have her be berthed at [[Leith]], where she remains today.

==Tayside Division==
In January 2021, after striking an agreement with [[HMS Scotia (shore establishment)#Tay and Forth Divisions|HMS ''Scotia'', Tay Division]], the unit opened a satellite division known now as '''URNU East Scotland, Tayside Division''' (often abbreviated to '''Tay Div'''), named for the [[Firth of Tay]] which runs just south of [[Dundee]], the city in which the division is based. It is based out of a [[Royal Marines Reserve]] base in the north of the city, [[RMR Strathmore Avenue]] (more fully called 'Royal Marines Reserve and Cadet Force Centre, Strathmore Avenue').

Its foundation was an important 'first' for the Royal Navy in regards to the URNU programme. Although the then URNU Edinburgh was a large and thriving unit, it was recognised that its distance from other cities and universities in the region was inhibiting recruitment at a time when the Royal Navy was actively expanding the URNU initiative.

Tay Division has become the testbed for a potential scheme to extend the URNU footprint, with it starting recruitment in the autumn of 2021, and starting training in early 2022.

The division, while under the jurisdiction of URNU East Scotland and its CO, has its own [[Officer Commanding|Officer in Charge]] (OiC) of the division, currently a part-time Lieutenant RNR. The administration and resources however, are still headquartered in Edinburgh, with the Tayside Division having no dedicated full-time staff.

The new division was created to recruit Officer Cadets from the [[University of Dundee]], [[Abertay University]], the [[University of St Andrews]], the [[University of Stirling]], [[Perth College UHI|Perth College]] and, in a return to the unit's history, [[Robert Gordon University]] and the [[University of Aberdeen]].

==Controversies==
===Relocation to Edinburgh===
In July 2012,<ref name="ESURNU Scotsman Article"/> the unit and HMS ''Archer'' were moved from their old home of [[Aberdeen]] to the capital of [[Edinburgh]]. Once moving to Edinburgh, the unit gave its commitment to the 10 remaining Aberdeen students to see through their training to the end.<ref name="MEC"/> One of these students was (then) A/Mid [[Andrew Bowie (politician)|Andrew Bowie]], former Vice Chairman of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], who, since becoming a [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] in 2017, has been petitioning the government for the unit and ''Archer''{{'}}s relocation back to Aberdeen.<ref name="BowieAURNU"/>

The unit was allegedly moved due to political pressures relating to the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|Scottish independence referendum]], which was announced earlier that year,<ref name="chaos"/> however, a Royal Navy spokesperson, when asked in 2012, claimed that the reason for the move was because "Edinburgh offers more sheltered waters in which to conduct sea training weekends, and allows easy access to a wider variety of destinations during those weekends.<ref name="ScotsmanBow"/> Bowie, however, rebuts that the "end of [AURNU] left a major port and huge swathe of coastline without a permanent naval presence".<ref name="BowieAURNU"/>

The unit remains to be headquartered in Edinburgh, however, has begun recruiting from the [[University of Aberdeen]] and [[Robert Gordon University]] as of September 2022.

===Sexual Assault Allegations===
In November 2020, allegations emerged that the then Commanding Officer of HMS ''Archer'', Lt. Rhys Christie, had raped a teenage Officer Cadet twice, after nights out in [[Eyemouth]], Berwickshire and [[Ramsgate]], Kent.<ref name="TimesChristie1">{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cadet-did-not-report-rape-by-officer-for-three-months-2cgh72cg7|title=Cadet did not report 'rape' by officer for three months|work=The Times|access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref> Lt. Christie admitted to sleeping with the cadet, however denied that he had raped her, maintaining that she was sober enough to consent on both occasions.<ref name="TimesChristie1"/> He was accused of 5 counts of rape.

It was claimed that the unnamed Officer Cadet was so drunk that she threw up at the pub, before being taken back to Lt. Christie's hotel room where he slept with her, despite Christie's colleagues' wishes for her to return to the ship "for her own safety".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/edinburgh-based-royal-navy-commander-22947456|title=DailyMail Rhys Christie|date=3 November 2020 |publisher=MailOnline|access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref> Christie claimed that she "gave [him] no indication [that] the sex was not welcome" and that "she was smiling [and] there was positive body language". He admits that he abused his power, due to the disparity in rank and age and that "[he] knew that it was the wrong thing to do".<ref name="TimesChristie1"/>

After a three-day trial in February 2021, held in [[Bulford]] Military Court, Christie was cleared of all charges of rape, with it later being revealed that the accusation of rape had been made because the Officer Cadet had felt "embarrassed" when people later found out about their relationship.<ref name="TimesChristie2"/> Christie was told that he had “fundamentally failed” in his duty of care, and may not be fit to continue with his career in the Royal Navy.<ref name="TimesChristie2">{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lieutenant-cleared-of-rape-but-may-lose-job-2pp9vtmpt|title=Lieutenant cleared of rape but may lose job|work=The Times|access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref> Christie remained in the Royal Navy for another year, leaving in January 2022.

It is for this reason that Training Officers and Staff of the unit are not allowed to drink excessively with Officer Cadets, and must remain below 0.08% [[Blood alcohol content|BAC]] (English legal driving limit)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.driving.co.uk/car-clinic/drink-drive-limits-uk/|title=Legal Driving Limit|date=11 November 2021 |publisher=The Sunday Times|access-date=2022-12-16}}</ref> when in the company of Officer Cadets. Exceptions are only made for special events such as [[Trafalgar Night]].

==Notable alumni==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="195px">
Image:VCDS Fraser and VCJCS Hyten (cropped).jpg|Adm Sir Tim Fraser KCB ADC
Image:Scott Brown, Chaplain of the Fleet.jpg|Chp Flt Scott Brown CBE QHC
Image:Philip Hally to Jude Terry (Hally cropped).jpg|VAdm Phil Hally CB MBE
Image:Official portrait of Andrew Bowie MP crop 2.jpg|Andrew Bowie MP
Image:Angus_Konstam1.jpg|Angus Konstam
</gallery>

===Royal Navy Alumni===
====[[Commanding Officer]]s====
*[[Tim Fraser|Admiral Sir Tim Fraser KCB ADC]] (1989–1991), former [[Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)|Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff]]<ref name="NLR Fraser"/>
*[[John Clink|Rear Admiral John Clink CBE]] (1991–1993), former [[Rear admiral (Royal Navy)|Rear Admiral]] and [[Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland|Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England & Northern Ireland]]<ref name="John Clink"/>
*[[Commodore (Royal Navy)|Commodore]] Richard Bridges (1974–1975), former Commodore, [[HMS Raleigh (shore establishment)#Captain, New Entry Training Establishment (“HMS Raleigh”)|Captain HMS Raleigh]], and [[Commander Littoral Strike Group|Commodore Amphibious Warfare]]<ref name="Cdre Bridges LI"/>
====Officer Cadets====
*[[Scott Brown (Royal Navy chaplain)|Chaplain of the Fleet The Reverend Scott Brown CBE QHC]] (1987–1992), the former [[Chaplain of the Fleet]], senior [[military chaplain|chaplain]] of the Royal Navy<ref>{{cite web|title=Rev Scott Brown URNU Twitter Post|url=https://twitter.com/revscott6/status/1491869806932504578|publisher=Twitter|access-date=23 August 2022}}</ref>
*[[Philip Hally|Vice Admiral Phil Hally CB MBE]] (1987–1991), current [[Vice admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice Admiral]], Chief of Defence People and Honorary Captain of the [[Volunteer Cadet Corps]]
*[[Sub Lieutenant]] Rowann Sinclair (2017–2022), international<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RNRugby/status/1502647913977196547|title=RN v Marine Nationale Rugby Twitter Post|access-date=2023-05-31}}</ref> and inter-service [[Rugby Union]] player,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/EdinburghURNU/status/1657768716715675651|title=RN v Army Rugby Twitter Post|access-date=2023-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RNRugby/status/1638921553600724993|title=RN v RAF Rugby Twitter Post|access-date=2023-05-31}}</ref> and current [[Worcester Warriors Women]] player<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=792141179583750&set=a.744826114315257|title=WWW Team Lineup|access-date=2023-10-09}}</ref>

===Civilian Alumni===
*[[Andrew Bowie (politician)|Andrew Bowie MP]] (2008–2013),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/1989933/north-east-mp-calls-for-navy-to-bring-back-uni-reserves-to-aberdeen/|title=Aberdeen URNU MP Article|date=February 2020 |publisher=The Press and Journal|access-date=2022-04-17}}</ref> [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (UK Parliament constituency)|West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine]], former RN officer and current junior RNR Officer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-times-diary-naval-mp-andrew-bowie-ukraine-kgwtvkplk|title=Bowie joins RNR|website=The Times|access-date=2022-05-18}}</ref>
*[[Angus Konstam]] (1971–1976), [[historian]], author of [[popular history]] and former RN officer<ref>{{cite web|last=Konstam |first=Angus |title=About Angus |publisher=anguskonstam.com |date=June 2007 |url=http://www.anguskonstam.com/docs/biography.pdf |access-date=17 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080827204428/http://www.anguskonstam.com/docs/biography.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2008 }}</ref>
*[[Alice Loxton]] (2016–2018),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/EdinburghURNU/status/1364241502159966212|title=Edinburgh URNU Twitter Post|publisher=Edinburgh URNU|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref> historian, [[TV presenter]] and [[internet personality]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wycombeabbey.com/seniors-making-a-difference-panellist-alice-loxton/|title=Seniors Making a Difference Panellist: Alice Loxton|publisher=Wycombe Abbey School|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref> best known for her [[TikTok]] account (~675k followers as of Oct 2023)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tiktok.com/@history_alice|title=Alice Loxton TikTok|publisher=TikTok|access-date=2022-09-10}}</ref>

==Commanding Officers==
===Aberdeen===
''HMS Thornham command shared with Aberdeen URNU''
* 1967 – 1968 : Lt Cdr Douglas "Neil" Murray (Later Cdr)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=31950|title=NLR Murray|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 1968 – 1969 : Lt Cdr Christopher Terrell<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=34848|title=NLR Terrell|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 1969 – 1970 : ''unknown''
* 1970 – 1971 : Lt Cdr William Crutchley<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=26976|title=NLR Crutchley|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 1971 – 1972 : Lt Cdr John Douglas<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=27402|title=NLR Douglas|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 1972 – 1973 : ''unknown''
* 1973 – 1974 : Lt Cdr Anthony Bensted<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=24925|title=NLR Bensted|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 1974 – 1976 : Lt Cdr Richard Bridges (Later Cdre)<ref name="Cdre Bridges LI">{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-bridges-18292a7/|title=Richard Bridges LinkedIn|publisher=LinkedIn|access-date=2022-07-03}}</ref>
* 1976– 1978 : Lt Cdr Ian Parkinson<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/past-times/2384416/suburban-memories-of-life-in-the-granite-city-13/|title=Suburban memories of life in the Granite City|date=12 August 2020 |publisher=The Press and Journal|access-date=2022-08-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=32448|title=NLR Parkinson|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>

* 1978 – 1980 : Lt Cdr David Pritchard<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=32969|title=NLR Pritchard|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 1980 – 1981 : Lt Cdr David Ludbrook<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=30903|title=NLR Ludbrook|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 1981 – 1982 : Lt Cdr Richard Potez<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/NavyNews1981Collection/198109_djvu.txt|title=Navy News 09/1981|year=1981 |publisher=Navy News|access-date=2022-08-09}}</ref>
* 1982 – 1985 : Lt Cdr Henry Milner<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/-/media/royal-navy-responsive/images/navynews/archivepdfs/1980s/1982/navy-news-july-1982-issue-336.pdf|title=Navy News 07/1982|publisher=Navy News|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=10349|title=NLR Milner|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
''HMS Chaser replaces HMS Thornham as AURNU's affiliated ship''
* 1985 – 1987 : ''unknown''
* 1987 – 1989 : Lt Cdr Colin Milne<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=13358|title=NLR Milne|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 1989 – 1991 : [[Tim Fraser|Lt Tim Fraser]] (Later Adm)<ref name="NLR Fraser"/>
''HMS Archer replaces HMS Chaser as AURNU's affiliated ship''
* 1991 – 1991 : Lt Tim Fraser (Later Adm)
* 1991 – 1993 : [[John Clink|Lt John Clink]] (Later RAdm)
* 1993 – 1995 : Lt Cdr Glen MacDonald<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mhfaengland.org/public-profile/?id=2437190c-70aa-e611-80ef-c4346baccf2c|title=Glen MacDonald Biography|publisher=MHFA England|access-date=2022-05-19}}</ref>
* 1995 – 1997 : Lt Cdr Malcolm Pollock (Later Cdr)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/news/dave-presented-with-service-medal-376875|title=Dave presented with service medal|date=10 June 2009 |publisher=Tavistock Today|access-date=2022-05-19}}</ref>
* 1997 – 1999 : Lt James Clark (Later Lt Cdr)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=1195|title=NLR Clark|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 1999 – 2001 : Lt Cdr Ian Wiseman (Later Cdr)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=7502|title=NLR Wiseman|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 2001 – 2003 : Lt Paul Hammond (Later Cdr)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://c69011.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/1bd0fd7b77df42dbb0759fb50e282adf-0x0.pdf|title=Paul Hammond Biography|access-date=2022-05-19}}</ref>
* 2003 – 2005 : Lt Stuart Armstrong (Later Cdr)
* 2005 – 2007 : Lt Samantha "Sam" Coulton ([[née]] Scott){{#tag:ref|Lt. Coulton got married and changed her name while she was in command of HMS ''Archer'' and AURNU.|group="nb"}} (Later Lt Cdr)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=9134|title=NLR Scott|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=23687|title=NLR Coulton|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 2007 – 2009 : Lt Cdr Jamie Wells<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navylistresearch.co.uk/search/search.html?id=7242|title=NLR Wells|publisher=Navy List Research|access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 2009 – 2012 : Lt Michael Hutchinson (Later Lt Cdr)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/december/17/20201217-tamar-commissioning|title=HMS Tamar RN Article|publisher=Royal Navy|access-date=2022-05-19}}</ref><ref name="ScotsmanBow">{{cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/another-string-capitals-bow-navy-training-vessel-sails-1616502|title=Another string to Capital's bow as navy training vessel sails in|publisher=The Scotsman|access-date=2022-12-17}}</ref>
* 2012 – 2012 : Lt James Martin<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/border/update/2013-06-20/cumbrian-officer-sails-navy-ship-into-whitehaven/|title=Cumbrian Officer sails Navy ship into Whitehaven|publisher=ITV|access-date=2022-05-19}}</ref>

===Edinburgh===
* 2012 – 2014 : Lt James Martin
* 2014 – 2015 : Lt Iain Giffin<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/navylist20140000grea/page/46/mode/2up?q=Giffin|title=Navy List 2014|date=5 November 2015 |publisher=Royal Navy|isbn=9780117731257 |access-date=2022-08-24}}</ref>
* 2015 – 2017 : Lt Andrew Platt (Later Lt Cdr)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2022-05-15/royal-navy-ship-makes-emotional-farewell-trip-to-sussex-town|title=HMS Shoreham ITV Article|publisher=ITV|access-date=2022-05-19}}</ref><ref name="PlattURNUCmd">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/EdinburghURNU/status/839591809382772740|title=EURNU Twitter Post|publisher=Twitter|access-date=2022-07-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/~/media/royal%20navy%20responsive/documents/profiles/platt%20andrew.pdf|title=Andrew Platt RN Biography |publisher=Royal Navy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331151141/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/~/media/royal%20navy%20responsive/documents/profiles/platt%20andrew.pdf |access-date=2023-06-02|archive-date=31 March 2016 }}</ref>
''HMS Archer and Edinburgh URNU command separated''
<!-- Note: Lt Rhys Christie nearly definitely was _not_ the CO of EURNU, only of Archer - there is plenty an article on him, and if he was commanding a unit of 50 (mostly) teenagers, it __would__ have been brought up. By this logic, Lt Charles Stevenson also never commanded the unit -->
* 2017 – 2018 : ''unknown''
* 2018 – 2020 : Lt Cdr Ollie Loughran<ref name="Vought tweet">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/EmpSpLRFCA/status/1033306943484571653|title=HMS Archer Twitter Retweet|publisher=Twitter|access-date=2022-07-03}}</ref>
* 2020 – 2022 : Lt Gordon Pickthall<ref name="RN-URNUE"/>

=== East Scotland ===
* 2022 – 2022 : Lt Gordon Pickthall
* 2022 – 2024 : Lt Cdr Nick Bates
* 2024 – present : Lt Megan Burgoyne

==See also==

* [[Armed forces in Scotland]]
* [[Military history of Scotland]]

===University Service Units===
*[[University Service Units]] (USUs), the umbrella that the URNU, UOTC, and UAS fall under.
**[[Tayforth UOTC|Tayforth Universities Officers' Training Corps]], URNU East Scotland's [[British Army]] counterpart in St Andrews, Dundee and Stirling
**[[East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron]], URNU East Scotland's [[Royal Air Force]] counterpart, covering roughly the same geographic area

===Other===
*[[Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme]]
*[[Reserve Officers Training Corps]], the [[United States]]' equivalent to the USUs
**[[Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps]], the United States' equivalent to the URNU

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=nb}}

==External links==
*{{Official Website|https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/bases-and-stations/training-establishments/university-royal-naval-units/edinburgh}}
*{{Facebook|UniRoyalNavalUnit}}
*{{Twitter|edinburghurnu}}

{{British Armed Forces|state=collapsed}}
{{Her Majesty's Naval Service|state=collapsed}}
{{University of Aberdeen|state=collapsed}}
{{University of Dundee|state=collapsed}}
{{University of Edinburgh|state=collapsed}}
{{University of St Andrews|state=collapsed}}
{{The Robert Gordon University|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:University Royal Naval Units]]
[[Category:Military of Scotland]]
[[Category:Military installations in Scotland]]
[[Category:Royal Navy bases in Scotland]]
[[Category:Royal Navy shore establishments]]
[[Category:University organisations of the British Armed Forces]]