St Andrew Square welcomed a parade of serving personnel, veterans, and their supporters over the weekend at a special event held to celebrate Armed Forces Day.
Celebrations began on Saturday 22 June as the annual parade of up of 300 – 500 serving personnel and veterans took place along George Street and reassembled in St Andrew Square where they were welcomed by Edinburgh's Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron who delivered a speech, and live music was enjoyed until 3pm.
Highlights included: The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, ten vintage Military Vehicles from the Scottish Military Vehicle Group, Royal British Legion Scotland and Association’s Standards and Veterans, performances from Hi Fi, Amy Hawthorn, Angus Munro, Stuart McLean, and Maria Townsley. The event was hosted by BFBS Broadcaster Mark McKenzie
On Monday (17 June), the flag was presented to the Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron and raised above the City Chambers to honour Armed Forces personnel past, present and future. ‘Raise the Flag Day’ is when hundreds of civic and government buildings throughout the United Kingdom will fly the Armed Forces Day flag until just after the weekend.
The Armed Forces Day events in Edinburgh are open to all to show their support for the Armed Forces and veterans.
Edinburgh's Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron, said:
“Earlier this month, the City of Edinburgh was proud to host Scotland's Salute Concert to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day; and the Centenary Service of the Royal British Legion Scotland's Women Section.“Coming together to mark Armed Forces Day enables the people of Edinburgh, each year, to express our renewed and continuing respect, appreciation, and gratitude for our Armed Forces: for all they do, and for all they, and their families sacrifice, to keep us safe."