A SOLDIER was reunited with his baby boy as the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards received a heroes welcome in Glasgow.

Trooper Colin Qua kissed and cuddled 11-month-old Harly after the regiment's homecoming parade which saw them march through the city in front of a crowd estimated to be 1500 strong.

The 200 soldiers - from Scotland's only cavalry regiment - were welcomed home after their return from operational duties in Afghanistan.

Trooper Qua, 22, and from Ayr, said: "It's great to be home.

"To see so many people here to welcome us back means a lot to us.

"They don't know what we are doing out there but they appreciate us and it's really nice to be appreciated."

After six months deployed in Kabul, the regiment returned to its permanent base in Fallingbostel, Germany in February this year.

The homecoming gave them the chance to show thanks for the support members of the public have given them and to celebrate with the community.

The parade started in Holland Street and finished in George Square, where a salut-ing dais was waiting outside the City Chambers.

Glasgow Lord Provost Sadie Docherty took part in the ceremony.

After spending time with friends and family, the unit will return to Germany to prepare for significant changes. Under Army restruct-uring, the regiment's role will change from a heavy cavalry regi-ment with Challenger 2 battle tanks to a light cavalry regiment using Jackal armoured vehicles.

It will then prepare to move from Germany to RAF Leuchars in 2015.

Trooper Qua added: "Moving to Leuchars will be fantastic. It will mean I can go home at weekends to see my wee boy. Harly is almost one, but I've really only been around him for two of those 11 months.

"It will be brilliant to be closer to home from next year."

Trooper Qua's extended family were at George Square. Harly's mum Kirsty Cunning-ham was joined by Trooper Qua's nephew, six-month-old Colden.

Trooper Qua's dad, also Colin, said: "Having him away from home is an emotional time. Whenever we get to speak to him via Skype it is brilliant, but there's nothing like having him home.

"The homecoming parade is lovely and the boys appreciate it.

"We are so pleased to have Colin with us and we're going to spoil him on his two weeks leave."

stef.lach@eveningtimes.co.uk