It was an opportunity to celebrate the bravery of our military, but Scotland’s Armed Forces Day has been overshadowed by sectarianism.

Festivities across the country - including RAF flypasts, parades, and parachute displays – had been organised to pay tribute to men and women in uniform.

However, an RAF Nimrod flypast over George Square in Glasgow was marred by sectarian disturbances.

Chants were heard from a small number of protestors, believed to be from an Irish Republican group.

Another group responded with chants of “no surrender to the IRA”.

Police had to intervene to control crowds. STV News witnessed several arrests being made before police were able to restore order.

Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy has described the scenes of bigotry as “embarrassing”.

He said: “You’ve got a tiny group of idiots who tried to disrupt a celebration of what our armed forces have done in defeating Nazism, fascism, protecting democracy and defending our rights.

“These people don’t speak for Glasgow, they don’t speak for Scotland. It’s embarrassing. They embarrassed themselves and they tried to embarrass these veterans. But these men and women are far too brave; they are too dignified. They didn’t even turn round to look at it. They have seen much more dangerous and much more important things than that.”

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VIDEO: How Aberdeen celebrated Armed Forces Day

VIDEO: Jim Murphy on the bigots who shamed Glasgow

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Strathclyde Police confirmed 13 people - including one woman - were detained following the incident. Five faced charges, while eight were being questioned. A 24-year-old was taken to hospital with head injuries.

No incidents have been reported at other events around Scotland.

In Edinburgh, spectators were treated to a parachute display above Holyrood by the army's Golden Lions and a further RAF Nimrod flypast down the Royal Mile.

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

The Queen visited the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards at Redford Barracks where she inspected a guard from the Royal Company of Archers before a medal presentation.

First Minister Alex Salmond led the celebrations in Edinburgh where he addressed the crowds in Princes Street Gardens following a packed programme.

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

Mr Salmond said in a statement: "This inaugural day of events is our opportunity as a society to record the debt we owe our service personnel and veterans, and the support we must offer in return.

"The Scottish Government fully recognises the courage and the sacrifice of our Armed Forces and is committed to improving the lives of men and women who are serving their country, now or in the past."