Troops get emotional send-off

An emotional farewell parade was held yesterday for 450 soldiers from 1 Scots being deployed to Afghanistan.

The troops from The 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, were led through the streets of Edinburgh by a pipe band from Dreghorn Barracks to Colinton Church where a service was held.

Members of the Military Wives Choir sang for the soldiers at the service as the battalion makes final preparations before being deployed to Helmand Province for a six-month tour later this month.

Hundreds of well-wishers lined the streets including children from the local school who were waving union flags and clutching 1 Scots teddy bears.