Slipstream on Leith: The Red Arrows return after 23 years

The display marked the beginning of a weekend event centred on the Scottish capital.

Hundreds lined Leith docks and gathered at vantage points across the city to watch the RAF's world famous aerobatic team deliver a display that showcased the extraordinary skill of the British fighter pilots.

The first glimpse of red, white and blue came as the nine jets rounded Arthur's Seat and passed over the Scottish Parliament. Flying at speeds of 400mph, the BAE System Hawk T1 jets flew in perfect formation over the grey waters of the Firth of Forth.

After a display of close formation flying, the team gave a demonstration of death-defying moves, with names such as "The Vortex" and "The Detonator", the latter of which saw the jets passing in opposite directions within 100ft of each other.

• Armed Forces Day in pictures

The finale was a move known as the "Mix and Break", a breath-taking and explosive manoeuvre which left a Union Flag of red, white and blue smoke hanging in the sky.

The display is the Red Arrows' first visit to the capital since the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, and the first full aerobatic programme there for 23 years. It took six months to perfect, flying three times a day, five days a week at the their base, RAF Scampton in Lincoln.

James Crawford, 6, from Newtongrange, watched the jets from the roof of the Ocean Terminal shopping centre with his mum, dad, sister and grandparents. Dressed in a Red Arrow jump suit, he said of the display: "I like the smoke, it looks like a flag."

Graeme Bagnell, Squadron Leader of the Red Arrows, said: "Armed Forces Day is extremely important to us because large parts of our Armed Forces are deployed overseas. We feel that it's our job to represent all three services as best we can as a part of British excellence."

Now in its third year, Armed Forces Day is dedicated to the nation's servicemen and women.

There was a family atmosphere as hundreds of people gathered outside Ocean Terminal in Leith to see performances by the Royal Marine Band, and displays by the Armed Forces that took place throughout the day.

Prior to the Red Arrows' display, children were able to enjoy a hands-on experience with the military hardware used by the Armed Forces on a daily basis, clambering over armoured vehicles and examining a bomb disposal robot at close-quarters.

In addition, Royal Marine Commandos put young people through their paces with Army training exercises, including retrieving injured people and scaling walls.

There was also a motorcycle display from the Royal Artillery and a field gun race staged by the Royal Navy.

The Red Arrows appearance set the scene for a fly-past today at noon when the team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight appear over the Royal Mile and Holyrood Park.

It is anticipated that up to 100,000 people will attending events taking place in the city over the weekend.

The focus for yesterday afternoon was HMS Portland, currently docked next to Ocean Terminal, a Type 23 frigate which was open to the public during the day to take tours of the vessel.

The Royal Navy staged a dramatic sea chase from it, dropping two small boats from the side of the vessel, which then raced across the Forth to intercept a "pirate ship".

Ian Mason and Marion Gooding had travelled all the way from Queensland, Australia to see Ms Gooding's nephew Chris Brisley perform with the Royal Marine Band.

Ms Gooding said: "I just think it is so important for any country. We think we live in a free world but we don't. I'm so proud at what they do and I think we need them all the time."

Calum Kelly, a welder from Edinburgh, brought his son Ewan, aged five, to watch the event. "It's very interesting to see all the various jobs that there are in the Armed Forces. Calum enjoyed watching the pirate exercise," he said.

Cpt Dougie McCutcheon, of the 2nd Scots, Royal Highland Fusiliers, who has just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, said that it had been great to mix and chat with members of the public: "The support we've received is really humbling."

Timetable of events

TODAY: 10:50pm - RBLS motorbike parade down High Street.

11:10am - Official Armed Forces Day Parade from Castle to Holyrood Park.

Midday - Red Arrows fly-past over Edinburgh Castle towards Leith.

12:15pm - Battle of Britain Memorial Flight: Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane will fly over Holyrood Park.

12:55-1:15pm - Holyrood Park: Drumhead service and civic handover.

2-6pm - Holyrood Park: Music, entertainment, parachute display, Marines/Royal Navy combat demo.

5.55-6.30pm - Holyrood Park Arena: Beat retreat.

6:30pm - Tornadoes and Typhoons fly past as flags are lowered.

TOMORROW: 11.15am - Church service at Canongate Kirk.

11am - Military fitness session at Holyrood Park.

11am Edinburgh Castle/Johnstone Terrace: Massed Pipes and Drums begin to form.

11:45am-12.30pm Parade down High Street by Massed Pipes and Drums.

1-5pm Holyrood Park: Entertainment, Highland Dancers, Battle of the Bands.