The brigade was formed under the title of 206th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home) for service in the United Kingdom on 12 October 1940 by amalgamation of Headquarters Lothian Sub-Area and No 6 Infantry Training Group in Scottish Command. It originally comprised three newly raised infantry battalions[2] and one Territorial Army machine gun battalion that had seen service in the Battle of France.[2][3] It had no connection with 206th (2nd Essex) Brigade, a 2nd-Line Territorial Force formation raised during the First World War.
During its service the brigade came under the administrative control of several higher formations: Scottish Command (until 16 December 1940), 44th (Home Counties) Division (17 December 1940 – 23 February 1941), 56th (London) Division (23 February–14 November 1941), 46th Division (14 November 1941 – 2 July 1942, 20 August–30 November 1942), North Kent and Surrey Area (3 July–19 August 1942), 43rd (Wessex) Division (1 December 1942 – 19 May 1943), Hampshire and Dorset District (20 May–5 October 1943). The brigade remained in the UK throughout its service.[2]
The brigade was re-designated the 206th Independent Infantry Brigade in December 1941. Brigade headquarters was disbanded on 6 October 1943.[2]