[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Under the 'Localisation of Forces' scheme introduced in 1872 by the Cardwell Reforms, the unit was grouped with the 1st Regiment of Foot (the Royal Scots), the Edinburgh Light Infantry Militia, the QERVB and a number of other RVCs from neighbouring counties into Brigade No 62.

[5][6][8][9][7][12] The Stanhope Memorandum of December 1888 introduced a Mobilisation Scheme for Volunteer units, which would assemble in their own brigades at key points in case of war.

[5][7][8][9][10][16] From 1905, the commanding officer (CO) was Lt-Col George McCrae, VD, who in 1914 raised the 16th Bn Royal Scots ('McCrae's Battalion'), a Kitchener's Army unit containing a number of players from Heart of Midlothian F.C.

[5][7] When the Volunteers were subsumed into the new Territorial Force (TF) under the Haldane Reforms of 1908,[17][18] the 4th VB became the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots, with its HQ remaining at Gilmore Place.

[5][6][8][9][10][12][19][20] The battalion remained attached to the Lothian Bde, which did not join any of the TF's new infantry divisions but continued independently in its coast defence role.

On 15 August 1914, the War Office issued instructions to separate those men who had signed up for Home Service only, and form these into reserve units.

[25] Having contributed large drafts to other battalions, 1/6th Bn did not leave the Lothian Bde until 5 September 1915[22]ref name = James/>[29] when it embarked at Devonport to go to Egypt to join the Western Frontier Force (WFF) on 20 November.

[33][39] 32nd Division was in reserve when the Allied Hundred Days Offensive began on 8 August at the Battle of Amiens, though 5th/6th RS was briefly engaged.

[40][43] Facing the most formidable part of the Hindenburg Line on the St Quentin Canal, 5th/6th RS went into action on 1 October against the village of Sequehart.

[44][45] When the Battle of the Sambre opened on 4 November, two platoons of 5th/6th RS were given the task of attacking le Donjon two minutes after Zero Hour behind a special barrage.

The British League Cadet Corps wore red Garibaldi shirts, blue forage caps and knickerbockers, and brown canvas leggings.

After it became the 4th VB Royal Scots, the unit adopted the uniform of that regiment, wearing tartan trews in place of trousers.

[7][8][5] The following served as Honorary Colonel of the unit:[5][7] Lieutenant David Stuart McGregor of the 6th Bn won a posthumous Victoria Cross at Hoogemolen on 22 October 1918 while attached to the Machine Gun Corps.

All Royal Scots who died in World War I are commemorated by the memorial gates unveiled at the regimental depot, Glencorse Barracks, Penicuik, in 1927.