Scotland falls silent to honour fallen on Remembrance Sunday as services take place across country

Services of remembrance have taken place across Scotland to honour those who have given their lives in military conflicts.

First Minister Humza Yousaf was among dignitaries who laid wreaths at the City Chambers in Edinburgh to commemorate Remembrance Sunday, while events and parades were held in towns and cities around the country.

In Glasgow, crowds gathered in George Square for the laying of wreaths and a short service, as they did in Aberdeen.

The One O’Clock Gun fired at 11am from Edinburgh Castle, as the country fell silent for two minutes in memory of the fallen.

Wreaths were laid at Edinburgh City Chambers. STV News

It followed events on Saturday, which included a service held at the Garden of Remembrance in the capital’s Princes Street Gardens.

The wreath-laying party also featured representatives from the Ukrainian population, some of whom had been displaced as a result of war in their home country.

“This, to me, is one of the most sacred days of the year,” the First Minister said.

“It’s an opportunity for all of us, all communities, to come together, to reflect, to remember, and to honour all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in order so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we cherish every single day.

“I am proud and honoured to be able to play a part on behalf of the Scottish Government.”

A military parade from Edinburgh Castle began the memorial, with current and former personnel from different branches walking in formation down the Royal Mile to the City Chambers.

Ukrainian Lesya and her children Marichka, 16, and Sviatoslav, nine – who was draped in a Ukrainian flag – laid a wreath on behalf of children who have lost a parent since the Russian invasion last year.

The trio arrived in the Scottish capital after the war broke out, with their father Koli staying behind to fight.

He was killed two days before the family were due to be reunited in their home country.

Legion Scotland chief executive Claire Armstrong stressed the importance of remembering those who served in the armed forces.

“Many people have made the ultimate sacrifice in order to sustain our current way of life,” she said.

“Many more have made unthinkable sacrifices to maintain our freedoms. To them, and for them, we must say ‘thank you’, and we must remember them.”