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Scotland falls silent on Remembrance Sunday for those who died in wars

Press Association A female piper plays in front of a mural showing poppies, silhouetted troops and planes in the sky. Press Association
Scotland's National Piper Louise Marshall played a lament in the Royal British Legion Remembrance Garden in Grangemouth on Thursday, ahead of Remembrance Sunday

Communities across Scotland have marked Remembrance Sunday with a two-minute silence, honouring the sacrifice of those who died serving their country.

Commemorations in the capital began with a military parade from Edinburgh Castle down the Royal Mile, led by the RAF Central Scotland Pipes and Drums.

Veterans, serving members of the armed forces and senior politicians paused at the stone of remembrance to observe the two-minute silence.

Services have also been taking place in Glasgow in the newly-reopened George Square and in Dundee's garden of remembrance as well as in many other towns and cities across the country.

First Minister John Swinney, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander and Edinburgh's Lord Provost Robert Aldridge were among those laying wreaths at the stone of remembrance at Edinburgh's city chambers.

The Scottish chiefs of the three armed forces services were also be present.

This year's commemorations saw Glasgow's main Remembrance Sunday service return to George Square, following last year's temporary move to Glasgow Cathedral while the square and Cenotaph were affected by redevelopment works.

A Guard of Honour was provided by Scots Guards, with music from The Combined Lowland and Highland Bands of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Police Scotland and Federation Pipe Band.

Large aircraft silhouettes created in the sand on a beach. A few people are visible in the shot which is taken from a drone
Giant images of aircraft were made in the sand at Oban to remember the town's role as a base for flying boats during World War Two

On Saturday, a special event was held in Oban as part of remembrance weekend, reflecting the town's role as a base for Sunderland and Catalina flying boats used to protect shipping during World War Two.

Members of the community created sand drawings of the aircraft at low tide and left a wreath and anchor in memory of those who were lost during the conflict.

Tributes were also paid to Charlie Horne who has died at the age of 100 and had been one of the last surviving Scottish veterans of the D-Day landings

Jamie Williamson/Erskine Veterans Charity An elderly an wearing glasses and with many medals on his blazerJamie Williamson/Erskine Veterans Charity
The death was announced at the weekend of Charlie Horne, aged 100, who as an 18-year-old had served on a minesweeper during the D-Day landings

As a young trawlerman, he was called up at the age of 18 and helped clear the way for American troops to land at Omaha beach in Normandy in 1944.

In one of his last interviews he said: "I will never forget the men who didn't come home.

"All I ask is that, when we are no longer here to tell you ourselves, you don't forget them either."