Armed Forces Day parades to be held across Scotland

Thousands of military personnel, veterans and cadets are to take part in a series of parades across Scotland to mark Armed Forces day.

The country's four largest cities will all host parades, while there will also be an RAF Typhoon flypast in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee.

Scotland's main government building will fly the Armed Forces Day flag in support of the national day of events.

This will be the fourth time the annual event has been held.

Armed Forces Day is designed to allow the public to show their support for military personnel past and present, including currently serving troops, service families, reservists, veterans and cadets.

Similar events will be taking place across the UK, with this year's national event being held in Plymouth.

The biggest Scottish event will be staged in Edinburgh, with the pipes and drums leading marchers into Princes Street Gardens for an afternoon of music, Highland dancing, drill from Sea cadets, inflatable assault courses and bouncy castles.

Major parades will also be held in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, with events also being held in smaller towns across the country.

Kevin Gray, spokesman for the Royal British Legion Scotland, said: "Recent years have put extraordinary pressure on our servicemen and women, it's only right that we can, once a year, acknowledge their extraordinary achievements.

"It's a day of togetherness with all the ex-service charities participating while serving members of the armed forces and veterans march together. We see it as a fun day too, a celebration not solemn commemoration. Let's salute and celebrate."

The Scottish government said the Armed Forces Day flag would be flying from its main building at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh.

Veterans Minister Keith Brown - a former Royal Marine who fought in the Falklands War - will represent the Scottish government at a reception at Edinburgh City Chambers and the Veterans Parade in Princes Street Gardens.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Flying the Armed Forces Day flag outside the Scottish government's headquarters in Edinburgh is a small but very significant indication of our ever-present pride in and commitment to our forces."