VE Day: What is happening in Scotland for VE Day anniversary? Historic landmarks lit up, concerts

The 80-year anniversary of VE Day will be marked on Thursday, commemorating the end of the Second World War on European soil.

Here, The Scotsman reveals the events that are planned in Scotland - and further afield in the UK - for the lead-up to and on the official day of the anniversary.

READ MORE: VE Day: Silence among Nazi hardliners at Scotland's POW camp as German surrender declared

Monday

- Commemorations will begin in Whitehall. The Cenotaph, the nation’s focal point of remembrance, will be dressed in Union flags for the duration of the four day commemorations, echoing the 1920 unveiling of the monument to the fallen. It will provide a focal point for the commemorations and a place to pay silent tribute to all those who died, both at home and abroad, during the Second World War.

The British Royal Air Force's (RAF) aerobatic team, the "Red Arrows" and a Eurofighter Typhoon perform a flypast during the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion's commemorative ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Picture: Chris Jackson /AFP via Getty Images | POOL/AFP via Getty Images

- A military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace will be followed by a flypast of current and historic military aircraft, including the Red Arrows.

- A street party will be HMS Belfast, which fired some of the opening shots on D Day in 1944, protected Arctic convoys during the conflict and is the most significant surviving Second World War warship.

Tuesday

- Scotland Salutes: VE 80. Concert in the Usher Hall hosted by The Royal British Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland in conjunction with the Scottish Government. The night of music will mark the events that lead to victory in Europe and bring the stories of those who were there to life. Music from The Band of HM Royal Marines, The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland and others will feature. The event will culminate in an act of remembrance.

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- Arrival of a flotilla of boats at Lerwick Harbour, Shetland, to honour the Shetland Bus convoys that ran supplies and soldiers from Scotland to Nazi-occupied Norway. Boats open to the public on Wednesday.

READ MORE: VE Day: How Orkney played a vital role and bore heavy losses during World War II

- An installation of ceramic poppies will return to the Tower of London to mark the anniversary. Nearly 30,000 of the original poppies from the 2014 display at the Tower, which commemorated the centenary of the First World War, will be displayed in a new installation within the walls of the fortress.

Wednesday

- Historic landmarks across the UK will be lit up this evening to remember the newsflash that announced the following day would be Victory in Europe Day. The landmarks will include the Edinburgh City Chambers, the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel.

- The Parliament Choir will host a Victory in Europe Day Anniversary Concert in Westminster Hall at the Palace of Westminster.

Thursday

- Glasgow Cathedral will host a service of thanksgiving at 1pm.

- A service will take place at Westminster Abbey that will be both an act of shared remembrance and a celebration of the end of the war.

- Beacons will be lit across Perthshire from 9.30pm with Crieff, Auchterarder, Aberfeldy and Pitlochry among towns taking part. A beacon will also be lit at Rosyth.

Saturday

- Kelso hold a large commemoration event with a parade to remember former regiment King’s Own Scottish Borderers and all veterans. Further events in the evening hosted by the Duke of Roxburghe at Floors Castle.

Sunday

Commemorations in Perth. At 9am, the VE Day 80 flag will be raised before laying of wreaths at the Veterans Memorial, St John Street, Perth, followed by a second flag-raising and wreath laying at 9.30am at the 51st Memorial on the North Inch. War-themed events in the city centre.

Friday, August 15

To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the war in the Far East, a service will take place at the National Memorial Arboretum. In partnership with the government, the Royal British Legion will lead the nation in honouring and remembering those who fought and died during the War in the Far East