One may need to consider the factor of the price of running a business in London versus Edinburgh, too.
Don't forget, officers' commissions in The British military were purchased (and they weren't cheap). Money would get you up the chain of command much faster than ability.
Mike, I am afraid your commission purchase remark is dated at best, to dead wrong. The Cardwell Reforms abolished the purchase of commissions in 1871 or so. The Dickson Round Action falls after that.
Your generalities are just too generic.
The British Army has long had a professional officer corps. The Royal Navy set an early positive standard amongst major countries by adopting a system of training and testing officers academically and hands on in order to advance in rank. I think more than 100 years ahead of the Army.
