Today marks one hundred years since the guns fell silent in the war which was dubbed ‘the war to end all wars’. Sadly that has not proved to be the case and today all over the world countries will stop to remember the war dead, and those who came home injured.
In Edinburgh there are many events of remembrance in various parts of the city.
Tonight from 5.00pm the names of all of those who died and whose names are on the Scottish War Memorial Roll of Honour will be projected onto the front of The Scottish Parliament. This event is a partnership of The Scottish Parliament, The Scottish War Memorial and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
It will take seven hours to show all of the names and will conclude with the Last Post at midnight.
On Remembrance Day there will be a two minute silence at 11.00am. The Lord Provost will lead the commemoration with Legion Scotland on the Royal Mile. At 10.00am, service members, bands, veterans and standard bearers will muster on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. At 10:30am, led by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, they will step off and march to the Stone of Remembrance at the City Chambers before the Lord Provost and others lay wreaths and a silence is held at 11:00am. At the same time, Edinburgh Castle will fire 11 blank artillery rounds, symbolising the cease of gunfire sound 100 years ago, before a service takes place in St. Giles’ Cathedral immediately after the ceremony.
The First Minister will lay a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance at Edinburgh City Chambers before attending the service at St Giles Cathedral. Later in the day she is going to a special service at Glasgow Cathedral marking 100 years since the Armistice.
The Deputy First Minister is attending the remembrance service at Westminster Abbey
Veterans Minister Graeme Dey will take part in the remembrance service at the Cenotaph in George Square, Glasgow
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Remembrance Sunday is an opportunity for people in Scotland to join with others across the world to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts during the last century.
“It allows us a chance to honour the memory of those who gave their lives, while also paying tribute to our veterans and those who continue to serve today.
“This year of course has added poignancy as it marks 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that ended the First World War.
“The laying of a wreath is a small but significant tribute, and I am privileged to be able to do so on behalf of the people of Scotland.”
EDINBURGH REMEMBERS
At 10.45am the Heart of Midlothian service and Memorial Walk will take place at Haymarket Junction followed by a walk to Tynecastle and the story of McCrae’s Battalion will be told by pupils from four Edinburgh High Schools at 12.15pm
At Liberton Kirk there will be a parade fromThe Army Reserve Centre to Liberton Kirkgate with a service at the kirk which has been decorated with 17,000 poppies.
In Kirkliston the Remembrance Day parade will take place at 12 noon from the High Street and Station Road to the war memorial at the junction with Main Street where a short service will take place.
In South Queensferry the parade will gather at the small car park in the High Street next to Queensferry Museum and will then march along the High Street to the Cenotaph at Rosebery Hall where a short service and wreath laying will take place. The parade then continues to the Church of Scotland on The Loan.
In Sighthill there will be a parade at 10.00am from Murrayburn Primary to St Nicholas Parish Church with a special service in the church at 10.45am featuring crocheted or knitted poppies.
In Barnton there will be a parade along East Barnton Avenue at 12.40pm to the War Memorial At the Green where wreaths will be laid.
In Corstorphine there will be a service at the War Memorial at Corstorphine Kirk on Kirk Loan.
Lord Provost and Veterans Champion, Frank Ross, who said: “This Remembrance Sunday, people the length and breadth of Edinburgh will pay tribute to all those who have fought and died – and who continue to do so – in order to keep this country safe.
“Whether it’s by attending your local Remembrance Service or Parade, or simply by taking a moment of quiet reflection, we can all show our gratitude and appreciation for the enormous sacrifices which have been made and still are every day by courageous men and women.
“As we mark the centenary of the Hundred Days Offensive and the final stages of the First World War, these events provide a very special opportunity for all of us to reflect on the toll the war took on the nation and the end of the First World War, 100 years ago.”
Politicians say……
The SNP’s Westminster leader, Ian Blackford MP, will be joining people across the UK to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One today .
The SNP MP for Ross, Skye & Lochaber will be attending a ceremony at the Cenotaph war memorial in London to mark the occasion on behalf of the SNP and Plaid Cymru.
Ian Blackford MP will also lay a wreath that will be accompanied with the words “Lest we forget” in English, Gaelic and Welsh.
Ian Blackford MP said : “Today marks the centenary of the end of World War One, and we stand and remember those who sacrificed their lives and to ensure that such terrible loss and suffering is never repeated again.
“I am honoured to be able to attend the ceremony today at the Cenotaph, and to lay a wreath in what is only a small gesture in gratitude for the sacrifices our service personnel made during the First World War.
“On this day, for them, we fall silent and remember.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie has said: “Today we mark a huge milestone of remembrance. We remember and honour those who fought for freedom and gave their lives to keep us safe, in the First World War and since.
“100 years on it’s important to take time to reflect on the sacrifice of both those who fought bravely abroad and the men and women who kept life going on the home front.
“It’s also a chance to appreciate the state of peace we take for granted and give thought to those still suffering in the wake of warfare around the world.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
