Scotland’s moments of remembrance to mark VE Day

Scotland is paying tribute to World War Two heroes with events around the country to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

At dawn, Scotland’s National Piper played a lament to the fallen on Portobello Beach in Edinburgh.

A service of thanksgiving is taking place at Glasgow Cathedral, with guests from the military, veterans’ groups, emergency services and religious organisations.

Other events include a street party for veterans at the Erskine nursing home and a commemoration by the Gordon Highlanders in Aberdeen.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will attended the Glasgow ceremony, while Scottish Secretary Ian Murray is visiting Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh.

Scotland’s political party leaders paid tribute ahead of First Ministers’ Questions at Holyrood.

First Minister John Swinney said: “The lessons and the suffering of the Second World War must be remembered today.”

He offered a personal tribute to his own uncle, Thomas Hunter, who was killed in the conflict in Italy, 35 days before the end of World War Two.

Elsewhere, a memorial is being held in Lerwick, Shetland, after six historic boats arrived there from Norway on Tuesday.

They sailed in commemoration of the Shetland Bus that operated between Scotland and Norway during the war.

In World War Two, the small fishing boats delivered valuable cargo to Europe and carried refugees fleeing the occupation on the return journeys.

Edinburgh Castle was among the UK buildings that have been illuminated red in the run-up to the anniversary.

The Scottish government’s Victoria Quay and St Andrew’s House buildings in Edinburgh have also been lit up as part of the campaign.

The events mark 80 years to the day since the formal acceptance by the Allies of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945.

It brought World War Two in Europe to an end after more than five years of fighting.