OVER the centuries they have faced down countless enemies in campaigns across the globe.
But now the British Army has been forced to beat a hasty retreat after crossing swords with Scotland's indefatigable sporran legion of football fans.
The military has unveiled the slogan "Join the real Tartan Army" in a bid to boost recruitment no
rth of the border.
But the controversial attempt to annex the nickname, which has been proudly adopted by followers of the national team for generations, has provoked an angry counter-attack.
Soccer fans, politicians and even the British Legion have condemned the marketing campaign, which is aimed squarely at young sports fans, as inappropriate, tasteless and exploitative.
The Army insists the slogan was not meant to cause offence, but confirmed its future use would now be reviewed.
The phrase was recently emblazoned on window displays, posters and leaflets in military recruitment offices across Scotland.
The patriotic appeal was aimed at swelling the ranks of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. But Tartan Army footsoldier Iain Emerson claimed the appeal was the "height of bad taste".
He said: "The Tartan Army prides itself on promoting peace and international harmony. For our good name to be hijacked for an army recruitment campaign is just not on and will offend a lot of people.
"How would they like it if we attempted to brand ourselves as the real TA?"
The editor of the Famous Tartan Army Magazine added:
"There are serving and former servicemen and women who are proud members of the Tartan Army, but I don't think they will be impressed by this either."
Neil Griffiths, the national press officer for the Royal British Legion Scotland, felt the slogan was well-intentioned but completely misguided.
The veterans group spokesman said: "Equating the pleasures of watching international football with the very serious and dangerous profession of soldiering is just not appropriate.
"They have accidently implied that an army career is a leisure pursuit and it clearly isn't. There is world of difference between cheering on Scotland and fighting in Afghanistan and to try to draw a link between the two is unwise.
"I can't remember a previous recruitment slogan which fell so wide of the mark."
The military's choice of words was also criticised by parliamentarians.
Nationalist MSP Jamie Hepburn said: "There is only one Tartan Army, and that is the Scottish football team's travelling support, who are known around the world for their peaceful and fun-loving support of our national squad.
"Nobody doubts the commitment and bravery of Scotland's troops but joining the armed forces is a serious business and it is trivialised by this ill-advised slogan."
Green leader Patrick Harvie was equally unimpressed.
The Glasgow MSP said: "The real Tartan Army consists of people having a bit of fun and helping to give Scotland an international image which is peaceful and gregarious.
"It is dishonest for the military to take advantage of that good reputation."
Scotland's travelling supporters were briefly associated with hooliganism after hundreds of drunken fans spilled on to the pitch and trashed the Wembley goalposts following the 2-1 victory over England in 1977.
But since then they have been hailed for their exuberant but good-natured behaviour across the globe.
In 1996, the Mayor of Birmingham presented the Tartan Army with a scroll celebrating their "Outstanding conduct and friendliness" during the European Championships. At the 1998 World Cup in France, Scotland's supporters received the Per Ludos Frateritas Trophy for their "sporting spirit and conviviality", while the Belgian Olympic Committee officially honoured the sportsmanlike conduct of visiting fans in 2001.
The Army stressed the slogan was meant as a tribute to the popularity of Scotland's football supporters, but hinted that it might be not be used again in future.
Army marketing officer John Mitchell said: "Over the past few years there has been a perception of the Army being away fighting wars overseas.
"We wanted to come up with a slogan that was closer to home, that people could identify with. Our intention is to get the Army back in the mind-sets of people in communities all over the country.
"The Tartan Army is held in huge affection in Scotland, so it was almost a play on that."
But Mitchell was disappointed to learn that the message had caused disquiet in some quarters.
"People are entitled to their views, but we are just as much a part of society as the Scotland football supporters.
"It was never our intention to offend anyone or trade on the goodwill of others. This slogan is something that has been used in some promotional materials, but whether we take it further remains to be seen."
Military recruitment figures have risen dramatically across the UK since the credit crunch took hold.
Officials confirmed that numbers joining the Army, Navy and Air Force had risen by 14% in the 12 months since the economic downturn started to bite.
