Residents urged to support troops on Colinton march

HUNDREDS of people are set to line the streets of Colinton tomorrow as soldiers mark their return from a six-month tour in Afghanistan with a march through the village.

School pupils from Colinton and Bonaly primaries and Firrhill High will turn out to watch the soldiers march from Redford Barracks to Colinton Parish Church for a memorial service at 10am.

The Colinton Business Association has printed 5,000 leaflets which it has posted through the doors of local residents to encourage them to turn out to support the returning troops.

Postmaster Tom Pate said: "Local businesses have got together to encourage people to line the streets to give them a cheer.

"They are our local regiment, with local people, and we thought this was an appropriate way to mark their return.

"Whatever you think about them being out there, that's a separate issue – we consider them to be returning heroes."

The march will be followed by a parade down the Royal Mile on Saturday, from Johnston Terrace to Holyrood Palace, to thank the people of Edinburgh for their support.