TROOPS will NOT be deployed imminently in Scotland following the Manchester terror attack - despite nearly 1,000 soldiers being scrambled down south.

Police Scotland chiefs have declined to follow suit after Theresa May said the Army could be sent to "concerts and sports matches".

9 Armed officers are patrolling the Scottish Parliament Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

9 Armed police have been on patrol inside Waverley Station in Edinburgh Credit: PA:Press Association

Home Secretary Amber Rudd today confirmed 984 military personnel had so far been deployed from a total availability of 3,800 troops.

But top cops in Scotland today vowed to stick with armed police only for the time being, despite the terror threat level being raised to Critical following Tuesday's atrocity.

The move means it's unlikely troops will be seen at major events including Saturday's Scottish Cup Final at Hampden, or tonight's Lisbon Lions tribute gig headlined by Rod Stewart at the 13,000-capacity Hydro in Glasgow.

But armed police are still expected to patrol the events in light of the terror threat.

And today officers with guns were dispatched to locations in Scotland including rail stations, the Scottish Parliament and tourist hotspots.

9 Holyrood Palace has had a heightened police presence Credit: SWNS

9 Officers standing guard outside the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

An Army spokeswoman said uniformed troops had not been requested north of the border as part of Operation Temperer - the plan for Army back-up triggered by the UK Government on Tuesday night.

At Holyrood this afternoon, Nicola Sturgeon said the Scottish Government "do not currently envisage that military personnel will be deployed on the streets in Scotland, or in other public locations".

She confirmed Civil Nuclear and MoD cops had been taken off normal duties and could now be used as back-up across the UK.

Soldiers will fill in for them by guarding 12 nuclear and defence facilities in Scotland, including Faslane, which Ms Sturgeon stressed "are not accessible to the general public",

She said: "The presence of military personnel at sites of this nature both in Scotland and across the UK will free up the armed police who are normally on duty there.

"These armed police will create a contingency resource which can be deployed across the UK.

"Any decision to make use of that contingency resource in Scotland would be for the Chief Constable. However, Police Scotland have no plans at this initial stage to do so."

Ms Sturgeon said Police Scotland had "effectively doubled the number of armed response vehicles on patrol since Monday night".

She said: "It is likely that the public will see more armed policing on the streets than usual, particularly at transport hubs and around city centres.

"However – and it is maybe worth stressing this point, given the understandable attention that Operation Temperer is receiving - we do not currently envisage that military personnel will be deployed on the streets in Scotland, or in other public locations. However, as with all operational matters, this will be kept under review by the Chief Constable."

9 Armed cops have been deployed across the country Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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Down south, Mrs May said soldiers would be placed in key public locations and at events such as concerts, working under the command of police.

Speaking on Tuesday night, the PM said: "Armed police officers responsible for duties such as guarding key sites will be replaced by members of the armed forces, which will allow the police to significantly increase the number of armed officers on patrol in key locations.

9 Top cops have vowed to stick with armed police only Credit: PA:Press Association

"You might also see military personnel deployed at certain events such as concerts and sports matches, helping the police to keep the public safe.

"In all circumstances members of the armed forces who are deployed in this way will be under the command of police officers.

"Precisely how the military and armed police officers will be deployed is an operational decision for police commanders."

London's Met Police later confirmed the military would be working under Scotland Yard to provide "static armed guarding at key locations" which "will include Buckingham Palace, Downing Street, embassies and the Palace of Westminster. This will free up armed officers to carry out patrols".

9 The armed officers have been spotted at major sites Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Police Scotland would not give details of where armed officers would be placed, saying it was policy not to confirm any deployments in advance.

In a statement, Chief Constable Phil Gormley said: “Police Scotland will be increasing our operations to protect the people of Scotland, our businesses and public places.

“This may include a range of options aimed at increasing security at these sites, reassuring residents, businesses, workers and visitors so they can go about their daily lives as normally as possible."

Mr Gormley said there had already been an increase in numbers of armed police "on patrol at key locations" and added: "The public should expect to see armed officers on foot patrol.

“We are reviewing all significant events along with event organisers taking place within the next 14 days and will increase the security footprint around those events where it is deemed appropriate.

9 The armed cops gave been deployed throughout Scotland Credit: NEWSLINE MEDIA LIMITED

“We have well-rehearsed plans to respond to major incidents and we will be continuing to work with our partners to address the current heightened threat.

“However, there is no intelligence to suggest there is any specific threat to Scotland but I would ask the public to remain alert and report anything suspicious.”

An Army spokeswoman in Scotland said: "A number of our MoD Police and Civil Nuclear Constabulary may be required and are on standby.

"If they are deployed, their roles will be back-filled."

A senior Scottish Government source said Holyrood ministers had nothing to do with the decision not to deploy troops in Scotland.

The insider said: "This is a matter for individual chief constables."

Speaking at 12.50pm, after uniformed troops were seen in public places down south, an Army spokeswoman said soldiers were "not currently" being requested by Police Scotland, even on stand-by.

Chief Constable Phil Gormley said Police Scotland "currently has sufficient resources" without having to call on troops.

He said: "Following the announcement by the Prime Minister of the UK Terror Threat level being increased from Severe to Critical and the implementation of Operation Temperer, Police Scotland is reviewing current deployments across Scotland, including of Armed Response Vehicles and specialist firearms officers.

9 Phil Gormley has urged the public to remain 'alert' Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

"As part of Operation Temperer, Chief Constables across the UK have the ability to request support from the armed forces, if required. This option is open to Police Scotland and the situation is being reviewed, however, the service currently has sufficient resources deployed and available at present.

"Established pre-arranged protocols and agreed command structures are in place for Operation Temperer, should it be required in Scotland."

We told you earlier how Scotland's new national security level caused major road delays.

But the measures were still warmly welcomed by those affected as a ring of steel is thrown up around key locations including the strategically important dockyards and travel hubs in Fife.

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