Scotland pauses to pay respects on Armistice Day

 

People across Scotland have fallen silent to commemorate those who died in military conflicts.

Wreaths were laid at war memorials across the country, including the Garden of Remembrance in Edinburgh.

A two-minute silence is held every year on 11 November at 11:00 GMT to mark the end of World War One in 1918.

The silence is held then because the end of hostilities with Germany was declared "on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month".

Dr Claire Armstrong, CEO of Legion Scotland, said it was a time for the nation to come together to mark the "service and sacrifice" of the British armed forces.

She told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "It is a profoundly moving day, the whole weekend is, for those surviving relatives, for descendants and friends.

"It is incredibly important to everyone that has served or is serving."  

The main service in Scotland, which took place next to the Scott Monument in Princes Street Gardens, was attended by. scores of veterans, supporters and dignitaries.

The period of silence ended with a single gun salute fired from Edinburgh Castle.

Meanwhile, thousands in Scotland are expected to join pro-Palestinian marches across the UK on Saturday.

Events are planned in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Forres and Dumfries.

They are calling for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza but the UK government has branded the timing of the marches as "provocative and disrespectful".

First Minister Humza Yousaf, whose parents-in-law escaped from Gaza last week, backed the right of protesters to hold events on Armistice Day.

And on Saturday he called for Home Secretary Suella Braverman to resign after counter protesters clashed with police in London.  

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-67389704