There was a warm welcome in the Highlands of Scotland for the ship’s company of HMS Sutherland when the Freedom of the region was bestowed upon the Type 23 frigate.

The town of Dornoch, between Inverness and Wick, was the setting for the events – including a parade through the streets by sailors of the ship – and Dunrobin Castle, home of Lord and Lady Strathnaver, also featured on the itinerary.

“I was delighted to take HMS Sutherland home to the Highlands to receive this great honour, and to build on our existing, strong links with the people of Sutherland,” said the frigate’s Commanding Officer Cdr Phil Haslam.

“We are very proud of these close links with the region and our deep-seated affiliations within the towns and communities.”

Sutherland’s mess decks are named after towns and villages in the Highlands, including Kinlochbervie, Golspie, Dornoch and Durness, and members of these messes visited their namesake communities.

Navy personnel also held golf competitions at Cape Wrath and Royal Dornoch, while the HMS Hood Trophy was contested by the frigate’s marksmen and the Gualin Gun Club.

Sutherland herself was too big to berth in Dornoch, and instead came alongside a few miles to the south at Invergordon – a deepwater port with historic links to the Royal Navy. The frigate was opened to the public.

En route to Scotland, the warship stopped off in Newcastle to support a Naval recruiting initiative, hosting students from engineering colleges, Sea Cadets, and local schoolchildren.

Link to HMS Sutherland fact card.