Thousands pay tribute to the Capital's fallen troops

Published on Monday 9 November 2009 08:55

A TWO-minute silence was observed by thousands across the Capital yesterday as they paid tribute to servicemen and women who have lost their lives in conflict.

Massive crowds gathered outside St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile for the city's main service of remembrance.

And many more attended services across the Capital, while the city's Lord Provost made a special mention of the city's most recent casualty of war, Edinburgh-based father of two Serjeant Phillip Scott of the 3rd Battalion the Rifles, who was killed by an explosive device blast in northern Helmand province on Thursday.

Representatives of the armed forces joined army veterans to remember the dead.

Members of the Royal British Legion formed outside the City Chambers just before 11am, while a colour guard stood to attention.

Council leader Jenny Dawe was joined by Lord Provost George Grubb and Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond for the service.

At 11am, the two-minute silence started with a gun blast from Edinburgh Castle, and as the flags of the colour guard were lowered to the ground, there was silence. A further gun blast ended the tribute, before a bugler played the Last Post.

George Grubb said: "On Remembrance Sunday, people pay tribute to all those who have fought and died – and who continue to do so – in order to keep this country safe. Today, in Edinburgh, we pay particular tribute to the fallen soldier from the Edinburgh-based 3 Rifles battalion who was killed in action in Afghanistan."

And the First Minister said: "Remembrance Sunday is a time for us all to reflect and remember the enormity of sacrifice made by Scottish servicemen and women."

There were also services at the RAF Spitfire war memorial on Jubilee Road, at Rosebury Hall and at Tynecastle Stadium.

&#149 On Saturday, soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, attended the Edinburgh derby clash at Tynecastle, where a minute's silence was held.