Remembrance services for war dead

Prince Edward and First Minister Jack McConnell remember the fallen

Memorial services have taken place across Scotland to pay tribute to the country's soldiers who died during the two world wars.

In Edinburgh, Prince Edward led the laying of wreaths at the Stone of Remembrance outside the City Chambers.

First Minister Jack McConnell and Scottish Secretary Alistair Darling attended a service at St Giles Cathedral.

Mr McConnell said Scotland would never forget those who had lost their lives.

The Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer George Reid and Edinburgh City Council leader Donald Anderson also laid wreaths during the ceremony.

And Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond was at Portsoy war memorial followed by a church service in which he delivered a reading.

The first minister said it was important to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We pay tribute to the memory of those brave men and women who gave their lives so that we could all live in a safer world First Minister Jack McConnell

He said: "On Remembrance Sunday we pay tribute to the memory of those brave men and women who gave their lives so that we could all live in a safer world.

"Scotland will never forget the sacrifice of those brave Scottish soldiers who have so tragically lost their lives in the Iraq conflict.

"We are all proud of the courage they are showing to make the world a safer place in this century."

Elsewhere, wreaths were also laid at Glasgow's George Square. That service was attended by the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon.

A service has been held at Kirriemuir in Angus in memory of one of the town's sons, Charles Melville, who won a Victoria Cross while serving with the Black Watch regiment in WWI.

His memory and Black Watch soldiers still serving in Iraq have also been honoured by the memorial ceremony.