Scottish cities host events to mark Armed Forces Day

Events are taking place in three Scottish cities on Saturday to mark Armed Forces Day.

Scotland Secretary Ian Murray said he was looking forward to “the whole country uniting” to show support for service personnel and their families.

In Edinburgh, a parade led by The Highland and Lowland Bands of The Royal Regiment of Scotland will proceed along George Street, with a saluting dais at the Assembly Rooms before finishing in St Andrew’s Square.

Glasgow will host a family-friendly event at the City of Glasgow College Riverside Campus – with information stands, activities and entertainment from the West of Scotland Military Wives’ Choir.

Meanwhile in Aberdeen, serving personnel, veterans and cadets will parade through the city centre, with the city’s Lord Provost taking the salute on Broad Street.

Nearly 200 Armed Forces Day events are set to take place across the UK on Saturday, with this year’s national event being hosted by Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire.

Speaking ahead of the events, Mr Murray said: “I’m immensely proud of all our Scots servicemen and women and I’d like to thank them for the extraordinary work they do to keep us safe all day, every day in the UK and around the world.

“National security is a UK Government priority and we will always stand up for our military.

“I look forward to the whole country uniting for today’s Armed Forces Day to show our support for currently serving troops, service families, veterans and cadets.”

Scotland is home to a number of of the UK’s key military assets, including equipment, installations, and thousands of sailors, soldiers, marines and aviators.

The entirety of the Submarine Service is based at His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde at Faslane, including the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent, and the new Astute-class hunter-killer submarines.

Meanwhile, RAF Lossiemouth in Moray is one of two RAF quick reaction alert stations responsible for protecting UK airspace, and also home to a fleet of maritime patrol aircraft.

Scotland is also home to a number of British Army regiments, including the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards at Leuchars Station, the 39 Engineer Regiment at Kinloss Barracks, and The Royal Regiment of Scotland at Fort George.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said Armed Forces Day was an opportunity to “thank our armed forces” for their service.

“This is the day we celebrate all they do – in ordinary and extraordinary ways – to make Britain secure at home, and strong abroad,” he added.