A 23-year-old Shetland pony, who has taken part in dozens of military parades as the Royal Regiment of Scotland mascot and is a favourite of the Queen, has retired after 19 years of service.
The Queen always requested that Cruachan III, who stands just 91cm tall, be present at any parades when she visited her Scottish holiday home, Balmoral.
1. Express Cruachan III’s height in hands (1 hand = 10 cm).
The first Cruachan was a mascot of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders from 1928 to 1942, then Cruachan II was the mascot from 1950 to 1985 and finally Cruachan III served as the Argyll’s mascot from 1995 to 2009.”
2. How many years did the first Cruachan serve as a mascot?
3. How many years did Cruachan II serve as mascot?
4. How many years did Cruachan III serve as mascot?
5. How much longer did Cruachan II serve than the other two ponies?
Captain Dougie McDougall said: “He’s done a lot of parades in his time and he was a real favourite of the Queen. If she was ever on holiday and knew Cruachan was around she would make sure he was there on the day that she arrived. She loves him to bits.
Cruachan III lives in Redford Barracks, Edinburgh, Scotland, with a companion Shetland pony called Islay. Both are looked after by a Pony Major, whose duties include their welfare and leading Cruachan III during his many appearances at Highland games, fairs and military parades.
The regiment are now looking forward to welcoming his replacement – Cruachan IV.
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1. Express Cruachan III’s height in hands (1 hand = 10 cm).
Answer: 91 ÷ 10 = 9.1. Cruachan III is 9.1 hands high
2. How many years did the first Cruachan serve as a mascot?
Answer: 1942 – 1928 = 14. The first Cruachan served 14 years.
3. How many years did Cruachan II serve as mascot?
Answer: 1985 – 1950 = 35. Cruachan II served 35 years.
4. How many years did Cruachan III serve as mascot?
Answer: 2009 – 1995 = 14. Cruachan III served 14 years.
5. How much longer did Cruachan II serve that the other two ponies?
Answer: 35 – 14 = 21. Cruachan II served 21 more years than the other two ponies.
Photo: Cruachan III at Armed Forces Day Parade Inverness Scotland by connor 395; CC BY 2.0