A penguin who is a Colonel-in-Chief of FAS - safety issues at nuclear storage depots ...
21 killed in Sri Lanka mine attack on bus ... the Norwegian Army is set to be bestowed with a new military honour.
Edinburgh Zoo penguin Nils Olav has been an honorary member and mascot of the Norwegian King's Guard since the 1980s.
Over the years, he has been promoted through the ranks and is currently the regiment's Colonel-in-Chief.
He is set to receive a further honour from the army, which has not yet been revealed, on Friday.
The regiment recruited its first penguin when a young lieutenant called Nils Egelien first visited the zoo in the 1970s.
The current Nils Olav replaced the original bird, who died about 20 years ago.
The Guardsmen visit Nils regularly when they are in Edinburgh performing at the city's Military Tattoo.
He has received medals for long service and had a 4ft bronze statue built in his honour.
'New promotion'
David Windmill, chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the charity that owns Edinburgh Zoo, said: "We have a long-standing history with the Norwegian King's Guard and it is something we are extremely proud of.
"It's an honour that they take the time to visit us and we are all looking forward to welcoming them on Friday.
"Edinburgh Zoo is famous for its king penguins and Nils Olav is definitely the most famous of them all."
Darren McGarry, animal collection manager at Edinburgh Zoo, added: "Nils always recognises the Norwegian Guardsmen when they come to visit him.
"He loves the attention he receives at the ceremony and takes his time inspecting the troops.
"We're all very excited about his new promotion and we've all been wondering what it could be."
Norwegian King's guardsman, Captain Rune Wiik, said: "We are extremely proud of Nils Olav and pleased that an enduring part of the Royal Guard is resident in Scotland helping to further strengthen ties between our two countries."
(BBC)
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