NICOLA Sturgeon led tributes at what she described as a “particularly poignant” Remembrance Sunday event in Edinburgh to remember fallen soldiers.
The First Minister was among many who laid wreaths of poppies at the stone of remembrance outside the city chambers and took part in a two-minute silence.
It marked the first memorial event since all Covid-19 restrictions were lifted.
Members of the three branches of the Armed Forces marched down the Royal Mile before a short service took place outside the city chambers, led by Reverend Calum MacLeod.
A two-minute silence was also observed.
Edinburgh’s lord provost Robert Aldridge laid a wreath of poppies on behalf of the city council, followed by the First Minister laying a wreath on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone placed a wreath on behalf of the Scottish Parliament before representatives from a number of other organisations also came forward to pay their own tributes.
Ahead of the event, Sturgeon said it was important to remember those who made the “ultimate sacrifice” to secure freedom.
She said: “I think it is particularly poignant that people are gathering together to remember in large numbers, in a way that hasn’t been possible for the last few years.
“Remembrance has continued during Covid but, of course, these big-scale events have not been possible.”
She added: “There are very few now alive who remember first-hand the horrors of the Second World War.
“But the importance of remembrance is as strong as ever.
“Of course, this year we have seen the horror of a land war in Europe for the first time in many decades and that is a reminder of the horrors of war.”
It was one of several events to take place across the country today. SNP MP Pete Wishart posted a photo of a service in Perth.
The MP for Perth and North Perthshire's caption read: “Lovely Remembrance Sunday service as always at St John’s.”
Lovely Remembrance Sunday service as always at St John’s. pic.twitter.com/BfXYb8dKh5
— Pete Wishart (@PeteWishart) November 13, 2022
A service also took place at Glasgow’s garden of remembrance at George Square.
The Scottish Government’s veteran minister, Keith Brown, has travelled to the Falkland Islands to attend a remembrance event.
The former Royal Marine is a veteran of the 1982 Falklands War.
