Remembrance day: Scotland remembers the fallen

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond joined the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Donald Wilson, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, military leaders, veterans and serving personnel at the Stone of Remembrance at the City Chambers in Edinburgh.

He observed a two-minute silence and laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Scotland.

The First Minister then attended the Service of Remembrance at St Giles’. He said: “Today presents every man, woman and child in Scotland with the opportunity to pause and reflect on the immense sacrifice which so many have made to protect our way of life and freedom down the years.

“This moment allows us to pay tribute to all of our servicemen and women, past and present, who have laid down their lives in defence of our country and whose sacrifice will never be forgotten. It is important that we also remember that today’s commemoration is not simply about historical events, but also about the sacrifices servicemen and women today continue to make.”

In Scotland’s national rugby stadium, an armistice service was held before the match between Scotland and New Zealand. Tribute was paid to servicemen and women at the Scottish Rugby Union’s War Memorial at Murrayfield.

Attending the memorial were representatives from the SRU and armed forces in Scotland, as well as Royal Navy personnel from MoD Caledonia in Rosyth, soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS) who have their headquarters in Penicuik, and members of the Lothian and Borders Battalion Army Cadet Force.

The Last Post and Reveille were played by an army bugler, while a piper performed the Royal Regiment of Scotland lament, Lochaber No More.

Before kick-off, national flags of Scotland and New Zealand were carried on to the pitch by army personnel.

Murrayfield’s pre-match welcome included a parade by Scotland’s Olympians and Paralympians, as well as a match-ball presentation by Sir Chris Hoy. A minute’s silence came to an end in the stadium withthe firing of a ceremonial gun by gunners from the 105th Regiment Royal Artillery, who are volunteers and have their headquarters in Edinburgh.

In Glasgow’s George Square, thousands of people paid their respects to fallen soldiers.

The service held at the Cenotaph saw over a thousand serving soldiers, veterans, cadets, police and firemen on parade, along with Royal British Legion and Remembrance Day service party, which included Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of Glasgow, Sadie Docherty, and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.