City to show support for Armed Forces Day

West Princes Street Gardens will welcome a parade of serving personnel, veterans and their supporters on Saturday as Edinburgh marks Armed Forces Day. 

A spectacular Armed Forces Day parade of up to 500 serving personnel and veterans will march from Johnston Terrace via Candlemaker Row to West Princes Street Gardens, culminating in an afternoon of live music and dance.

Highlights include a welcome from Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Donald Wilson and a flashback to the forties with retro dance troupe The Kennedy Cupcakes (below) and ‘Legion Scotland sweetheart’ Amy Hawthorn plus ska music from the Pork Pie Band and a traditional Scots military band.

Earlier this week the Armed Forces Day flag was presented to the Lord Provost Donald Wilson and raised above the City Chambers to honour Armed Forces personnel past, present and future. The flag, raised on Monday, will remain in place until after the weekend.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and Veterans Champion, Donald Wilson, said: “This city has a long and proud tradition of supporting the Armed Forces and our veterans. Holding a day in their honour provides us with an opportunity to do all we can to thank them for all they do to keep us safe.

“This year’s celebrations promise a great day out and the perfect opportunity for Edinburgh residents to show their support of serving troops, service families, veterans and cadets.”

Kevin Gray MM, CEO, Royal British Legion Scotland (Legion Scotland), said: “As Scotland’s largest ex-service membership charity, providing essential well-being and befriending services to veterans whether they left service yesterday or 50 years ago, we know just how important Armed Forces Day is.

“By offering local communities a chance to not only show their support but find out more about life in the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, the day provides a real morale boost to everyone involved with the Armed Forces. It also helps reinforce the important role the Armed Forces play in our society.

“We’re delighted to be part of Edinburgh’s day and other similar events taking place throughout Scotland. I am sure that Armed Forces Day events throughout Scotland will be huge successes.”

The Armed Forces Day events in Edinburgh are open to all to show their support for the Armed Forces and veterans. The celebrations take place across the UK with National Armed Forces Day celebrations taking place in Cleethorpes in North East Lincolnshire.