First Minister John Swinney joined the Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge, as well as veterans, military personnel, and others yesterday to remember the fallen on Remembrance Sunday.
The RAF Central Scotland Pipes and Drums led a parade from Edinburgh Castle to the City Chambers at 10:30am, followed by veterans, Tri-Service Cadets and Highland and Lowland Bands of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and representatives from the three Armed Services.
The One O’Clock Gun then fired at 11am from Edinburgh Castle, as the country fell silent for two minutes in memory of those who have fallen in conflicts over the years.
The Rev Dr Scott M Rennie MA BD STM FRSA, Minister, St Giles’ Cathedral, then led a short service of Remembrance.
Wreaths were then laid at the Stone of Remembrance by the First Minister, the Lord Provost, Kenneth Gibson MSP, Presiding Officer, The Scottish Parliament, The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, Chiefs of all three Armed Services, Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC RM, Naval Regional Commander Scotland & Northern Ireland, Major General Nick Thomas CBE, General Officer Scotland, Air Commodore Mark Northover MBE ADC RAF, Air Officer Scotland, Rear Admiral Mark Beverstock, National President of The Royal British Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, Ms Sheila Elrick, National President, The Royal British Legion Scotland, Women’s Section, veterans associations and others.
Commenting on Remembrance Sunday, the CEO of The Royal British Legion Scotland, Dr Claire Armstrong, OBE, said: “From the First World War to the complex conflicts of today, our duty to remember those who served remains absolute.
“Generation after generation, members of our Armed Forces community have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms and defend our way of life. We carry their legacy forward not just through modern remembrance, but by actively renewing our shared hope for a peaceful future.”
First Minister John Swinney said: “It was an honour to lay a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance to commemorate all those who have lost their lives in conflict.
“The people of Scotland will always remember and honour those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom and values.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander laid a wreath on behalf of the UK Government at the Annual Service of Remembrance in Edinburgh.
He joined the Edinburgh Lord Provost’s Wreath Laying Party from 11am at the Stone of Remembrance, Edinburgh City Chambers, alongside members of the military, veterans and community leaders, to honour the service and sacrifice of British Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families, past and present.
Speaking ahead of the service, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “Remembrance Sunday is a moment for the whole country to pause and remember the men and women who gave their lives for our freedoms, and to give thanks to our veterans, our serving personnel, and the families who stand behind them.
“In Edinburgh, I will be proud to stand alongside our veterans, members of our armed forces, and community leaders from across Scotland to honour their service and sacrifice.
“We owe a debt to those who have served that can never be fully repaid, and we will continue to honour it, in Scotland and across the United Kingdom. The UK Government’s commitment to our armed forces is unwavering.”
Following the wreath laying, Mr Alexander joined the procession to St Giles’ Cathedral, piped by a pupil from George Heriot’s School, for a special Remembrance Sunday service. He gave a reading of Psalm 120, ‘A Song of Ascents,’ before attending a reception at Edinburgh City Chambers.
Meanwhile, John Grady MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to HM Treasury laid a wreath on behalf of the UK Government at Glasgow’s Remembrance Sunday service in George Square.
In London, the National Service of Remembrance was held at the Cenotaph on Whitehall, London, attended by the Prime Minister, senior members of the Cabinet and other political leaders.
