Scotland observes two-minute silence as ceremonies held to mark Armistice Day

People throughout Scotland have observed a two-minute silence to remember the fallen as ceremonies were held to mark Armistice Day.

The Last Post sounded across the country on Wednesday morning as communities paused to reflect and remember those who died in conflict.

At Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens, wreaths were laid by Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, Poppyscotland chief executive Dr Claire Armstrong OBE, Royal British Legion Scotland CEO Leanne Bonner and others.

The start of the two-minute silence was marked by the gun at Edinburgh Castle.

Wreaths were laid at Glasgow Central Station STV News

Dignitaries gathered in George Square in Glasgow, including Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren, with wreaths also being laid at the city’s Central Station.

At Brodies Engineering in Kilmarnock, a special service was held for the local community and employees, many of whom are veterans.

Brodies Engineering in Kilmarnock held a service for the local community STV News

In Macduff in Aberdeenshire, thousands of poppies adorn the town’s highest point around Macduff Parish Church.

The project started eight years ago with around 20 flowers and has grown rapidly since.

Helen Gow of MacDuff Poppy Project said: “We’re up to 27,000 poppies, knitted and crocheted poppies, from all over Scotland – and all over the world, really.

“Australia, Minnesota, Canada, Belgium – it’s amazing.

“The stories are absolutely fantastic, and I think it helps when people open up and say, ‘well, we’ve come to remember those who’ve come before us.’”

The Scottish Parliament also held an Armistice Day commemoration.

A two-minute silence was held at the Scottish Parliament STV News

Among those present at the Garden of Remembrance service was Alex Hunter, from Edinburgh, who is the nephew of Victoria Cross recipient Thomas Peck Hunter.

Mr Hunter, who is First Minister John Swinney’s cousin, said his family remember their relative’s sacrifice every November 11.

Thomas Peck Hunter, who served as a Royal Marines commando, was posthumously awarded the military’s highest honour for gallantry due to his actions at the battle of Lake Comacchio in the closing stages of the Second World War.

The 21-year-old corporal protected his comrades by drawing German machine-gun fire as he charged into enemy positions armed with a Bren gun.

He forced enemy troops to surrender before he was killed by a stray bullet.