Scotland is celebrating its heroes as thousands take to the streets to mark Britain’s first Armed Forces Day.

The festivities will include RAF flypasts, parades, and parachute displays across the country on Saturday.

Spectators will be treated to a parachute display above Holyrood by the army's Golden Lions and there will be an RAF Nimrod flypast down the Royal Mile.

In Aberdeen 1,000 armed forces personnel will march down Union Street and in Dundee a parade will take place from King Street to City Square.

Glasgow's George Square will host military displays and stalls and an RAF Nimrod flypast will also take place.

The Queen is set to visit the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards at Redford Barracks where she will inspect a guard from the Royal Company of Archers ahead of a medal presentation.

Co-ordinator Brigadier David Allfrey said: "We are thrilled by the way in which the people of Scotland have embraced the concept of Armed Forces Day.

"Communities have been honouring the armed forces over the last couple of weeks in some of the more remote areas of Scotland such as the Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands and the Highlands.

"Now is the turn of our major cities to join in the celebrations, along with communities across the country.

"This is a homecoming for the armed forces and should be a great day out for all the family."

First Minister Alex Salmond is attending the celebrations in Edinburgh where he will address the crowds in Princes Street Gardens following a packed programme.

Conservative leader Annabel Goldie will attend a service of dedication at Paisley Abbey.

She paid tribute to the “courageous individuals” of our armed forces, saying: "Sometimes it is easy to forget that these very courageous individuals, from all walks of life and with families that give them unstinting support, perform daily heroics in defence of our essential freedoms.

"This is the first time a day has been dedicated to all those who serve in the armed forces, and more than 200 events are taking place across the United Kingdom.

"I am privileged to be attending one of them."