Thousands turn out to greet hero troops

Thousands of people, young and old, lined the Royal Mile to cheer and applaud the returning soldiers of 3rd Battalion The Rifles (3Rifles), joined by the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Thirty members of the Battle Group died during the six-month tour of Afghanistan, including 16 based in Edinburgh.

Waving Saltire and Lion Rampant flags, crowds gathered at the City Chambers, where Lord Provost George Grubb and Princess Alexandra, who is the Rifles' Royal Colonel, took a salute from the troops.

Among the crowds were family members eager to see their loved ones again, and children had hung colourful banners reading "Welcome Home Daddy" to line the route.

Sarah Flood – whose husband Michael is a Colour Sergeant with the Redford Barracks-based regiment – said: "It's so nice for the guys to see these crowds, and I'm pleased so many people have come out to pay their respects to the soldiers."

There were huge crowds at Holyrood as well, where families gathered to take a salute from the returning troops.

Many well-wishers had travelled from across the UK to welcome home family members.

Christine Barry, 39, and her family had come from Tyneside to see her son Aaron, 20, a soldier with C-company.

She said: "It was his first tour out there and while we've been in touch he doesn't really talk about what went on out there. It was so hard for us with him being away, so it will be good to see him.

"It is so touching to see these crowds come out to salute the troops. It means a lot to them."

Local businesses were also showing their support, with shop staff coming out to cheer the troops as they marched down the High Street.

Outside the World's End bar, on a chalkboard was the legend "Welcome Back Boys", and some onlookers threw flowers to the soldiers as they marched past.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said there was a "nice turnout" with people standing six deep to watch the parade.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, commanding officer, said: "We're absolutely thrilled and proud to be marching down the Royal Mile. The support of the people of Edinburgh certainly helps to boost morale after the last six-and-a-half months."

Before the official parade, around 200 Harley-Davidson riders had paid their own tribute with a massed ride through the city centre.