Homecoming parade for 1 Scots

FOLLOWING a challenging six month tour of duty in Afghanistan more than 300 troops marched through Edinburgh to attend a church service yesterday.

Crowds braved the Autumn drizzle to line the streets in the city's Colinton and welcome the brave soldiers from The Royal Scots Borderers (1 Scots) back home.

This was the third homecoming march for the troops after they paraded through Galashiels last Saturday and Linlithgow on Wednesday.

The 1 Scots will also be marching through the capital's city centre today before a well-earned presentation of medals takes place at Holyrood Palace.

During their gruelling six month tour the battalion lost a colleague, Lance Corporal Joseph Pool, who was killed in action on 5 September.

The troops were deployed as part of the Catterick-based 4 Mechanised Brigade which was in charge of Task Force Helmand.

1 Scots Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Herbert, said: "It's nice for the soldiers to actually see the degree of public support which is out there, but it's also an opportunity for us to say 'Thank you' to all of the locals around Edinburgh and across Scotland for the support they continue to give us."