Today is Trafalgar Day and Edinburgh has a special role to play in celebrating it with all the signal flags flying from the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill. These spell out a message. Echoing the words signalled on the flags flown on Nelson’s Ship, flags are draped down the side of the monument bearing the message ‘England expects that every man will do his duty’.
The annual service,with the monument adorned with the series of flags, is held in partnership between the Council and the Royal Navy to mark the 210th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar on this day in 1805.
During the service, wreaths were laid at the foot of the monument and Captain Chris Smith of the Royal Navy recited ‘Nelson’s Prayer’ in remembrance. A two minute silence followed the call of a bugler from Her Majesty’s Band of the Royal Marines Scotland.
The Nelson Monument was built between 1807-1815 in memory of Admiral Lord Nelson who died at the Battle of Trafalgar.
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