Thousands fall in for armed forces on Royal Mile and Princes Street

AN INFLATABLE assault course on Princes Street Gardens and a massive parade down the Royal Mile form part of a day of events taking place in the Capital to celebrate the work of the armed forces.

Edinburgh is to host Scotland's biggest programme of events for this year's Armed Forces Day, on 26 June.

Thousands of people are expected to line the streets when over 500 veterans, cadets and serving soldiers march down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to Princes Street Gardens.

A full day of entertainment is being held around the Ross Bandstand, where a series of giant marquees will be erected to host a tea party.

As well as the inflatable assault course, the gardens will feature a paintball range and a giant climbing tower.

There will also be a performance by the band of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

The UK's most senior member of staff, Sir David Richards, is also to speak at the event. Brigadier David Allfrey, 51 (Scottish) brigade commander, said: "Edinburgh has really fallen in behind the armed forces and is working tremendously hard to provide a celebration.

"It means a great deal to us. I hope that people in Edinburgh who don't normally make contact with the military take this opportunity to come along.

"Troops based in and around Edinburgh such as 1 Scots, 2 Scots and 3 Rifles are regularly deployed on operations in Afghanistan, making personal sacrifices to defend the UK from terrorism and contribute to international peace and security.

"They are very grateful for the incredible support that the people of Edinburgh show to them and their families – it gives them strength and helps them focus on the job in hand."

Events will be held across the UK on 26 June to mark Armed Forces Day, with the main event being hosted in Cardiff. Edinburgh is expected to be confirmed as the host city for the main event in 2011.

This year's Edinburgh event will feature speeches by Lord Provost George Grubb and General Richards, who is the professional head of the British army.

There will also be a performance of the ancient Beating Retreat military ceremony.

The parade is to start at Edinburgh Castle at 12:30pm before slowly moving down the High Street, Cockburn Street and Waverley Bridge before ending in West Princes Street Gardens.

On 21 June, members of the Golden Lions parachute display team will drop down on to Holyrood Park to hand the official Armed Forces Day Union flag to Cllr Grubb.

A series of public buildings, including the City Chambers, will fly the Union flag all week.

Lord Provost George Grubb said: "This year's Armed Forces Day celebrations in Edinburgh look certain to repeat the great success of last year's event.

"Edinburgh has a long and proud tradition of honouring its servicemen and women, so I'm sure this will be a wonderful and memorable occasion for everyone."