Scotland Falls Silent For Armistice Day

11 November 2015, 08:41 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Commemorations are being held across Scotland to mark Armistice Day.

Two-minute silences will be observed at 11am up and down the country as people stop to remember those who have died in conflict.

In Edinburgh, veterans and members of the public will gather at the Scott Monument for the reading of Binyon's lines followed by a silence at the Garden of Remembrance at an event organised by Legion Scotland.

At Holyrood, all parliamentary business will be suspended as MSPs, staff and visitors are invited to join the Presiding Officer in the garden lobby as she leads the Scottish Parliament's commemoration.

Tricia Marwick will close the event with a reading of a poem followed by Stuart McMillan MSP, parliament piper, piping All The Blue Bonnets Over The Border to commemorate 100 years since the Battle of Loos.

Ms Marwick said: "As part of the commemoration, I have chosen to read Dundee-born Joseph Lee's poem Tik, Johnnie!, written during the First World War to recognise the contribution of those from across the Empire who fought alongside their British comrades.''

Veterans from Whitefoord House, which is located near the building, will also be in attendance. It provides high quality, supported accommodation in Edinburgh for veterans who are homeless or in need through the Veterans Housing Association.

At the Erskine Home in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, veterans will be joined by families, staff and friends for a memorial service where they will lay wreaths to remember fallen comrades.

Armistice Day is also being marked with the unveiling of a new digital Roll of Honour marking Dundee's contribution in the First World War.

Great War Dundee hopes to tell the story of the men who left the city to fight in the war and of the loved ones left behind at home.

By the 1918 Armistice, more than 4,000 of Dundee's young men had lost their lives and each of their names is recorded.

Dr Billy Kenefick, historian and chairman of the project and senior lecturer at the University of Dundee, said: "This is an ambitious interactive project, but with the help of local families, historians and volunteers we hope to create a lasting and fitting tribute to those of the city who contributed to Dundee's efforts during the Great War.

"Where possible, each entry will include a photograph and information collected from various sources.

"We now have biographical details of around 150 men, enabling us to build up a social history from what was previously a list of names.''

Meanwhile, research has found many Scots support Remembrance commemorations, with more than two-thirds (71%) saying they wear a poppy.

The survey of 1,056 adults in Scotland was carried out this summer by Survation on behalf of independent think-tank British Future.

Ian McGregor, chief executive of charity Poppyscotland, said: "This research underlines the important place the Remembrance period and the Scottish Poppy Appeal continues to play in Scottish life.

"We would never criticise anyone for not wearing a poppy. We firmly believe in an individual's right to choose whether or not to wear a poppy or to observe Remembrance.

"That is their freedom of choice. However, the research findings back up what we believe and what we see during the Scottish Poppy Appeal.

"We make nearly five million poppies every year to meet demand and it is clear that the Scottish public cares about our Armed Forces community, past and present.''