VE Day anniversary marked in Scotland under lockdown rules
- Published
Prince Charles led the country in a two-minute silence from Balmoral war memorial
The 75th anniversary of VE Day is being marked across Scotland in accordance with lockdown rules.
Public events have been cancelled, but Prince Charles led the country in a two-minute silence from Scotland at 11:00.
The poignant moment saw the Prince and the Duchess of Rothesay each lay a wreath at a memorial near Balmoral.
A single shot from Edinburgh Castle market the beginning and the end of the nationwide tribute.
RAF typhoon fighter jets staged a flypast over the castle.
RAF Typhoon fighter jets flew over Edinburgh
The Duchess of Cornwall placed spring flowers on the memorial, which were picked personally by Her Royal Highness from the garden at Birkhall.
The prince's handwritten message with his floral tribute read: "In everlasting remembrance", while Camilla left a note with her bouquet in memory of her father Major Bruce Shand, who served with the 12th Lancers during the war.
The duchess wrote: "In memory of my darling father and all the officers and men of the XII Lancers who fought so bravely to give us peace."
Prince Charles laid a wreath at the Balmoral war memorial
First minister Nicola Sturgeon marked the two-minute silence on the steps of St Andrew's House in Edinburgh.
Later at her daily coronavirus briefing, she said the UK should "draw strength" from World War Two veterans to tackle the virus outbreak.
"The challenge they made then is very different to the one we face today - we are not fighting a war. But we should nonetheless draw strength and inspiration from their example," she said.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon observed the two-minute silence in Edinburgh
PoppyScotland and Legion Scotland organised a number of "virtual" commemoration online activities.
PoppyScotland broadcast a live virtual concert on Facebook featuring performers who were due to perform at a celebration in Princes Street Gardens.
PoppyScotland sweetheart Amy Hawthorn performed "We'll Meet Again" on the Facebook live concert
To start the day, people were invited to join a "collective salute" from their homes. At 08:00, military personnel and reservists at bases across Scotland led the honour.
Members of Legion Scotland and the general public joined in from their homes, posting their photos on social media using the hashtags #VEDay75 and #HeroesOfWW2.
Cadets from the Annan detachment took part in the morning salute at 0800 hours.
What is VE Day?
Prime Minister Winston Churchill stands on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the Royal Family (with the Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, on the left) on 8 May 1945
Victory in Europe (VE) Day on 8 May 1945 saw Britain and its Allies formally accept Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender.
At 15:00, Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced on the radio that the war in Europe had come to an end, following Germany's surrender the day before.
Spontaneous partying broke out across the country as people celebrated the end of six years of armed conflict in Europe although the war with Japan continued throughout the summer.
Single gun salute from Edinburgh Castle
A major programme of anniversary events had previously been planned across the UK - including veterans' parades and street parties - and the May Day Bank Holiday was moved to 8 May.
The coronavirus outbreak meant public gatherings had to be cancelled and replaced by alternative activities that would not put people at risk.
'Equally exciting'
Legion Scotland chief executive Dr Claire Armstrong said despite the cancellation of formal events in Edinburgh, organisers had worked "tirelessly" to come up with safe alternatives.
"We believe the new 'virtual' programme is equally exciting and will bring the nation together in a truly unique way, while keeping everyone safe at the same time," she said.
Staff at Waverley Station in Edinburgh paused to mark the anniversary
Care homes which have found themselves on the front line of the coronavirus crisis were offered "the Best Seat in the House" for a special VE Day edition of the online variety concerts created by the Armed Forces charity - the Not Forgotten.
Brigadier James Stopford is the charity's Chief Executive, said: "It's a variety show with good old fashioned music and our show today is special with a special message from Dame Vera. It was earmarked for the care homes but it's for anyone to enjoy World War Two music."
The Not Forgotten concert celebrates music from World War Two
A series of special programmes are being shown on BBC One Scotland throughout the day.
The coverage includes the two-minute silence and a series of special programmes including VE Day 75, starting at 14:45 BST, which will feature extracts from Sir Winston Churchill's victory speech exactly 75 years ago.
The revised programme from armed forces charities Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, together with the Scottish government, the military and the media, continued throughout the day:
10:39 - Facebook pages of Legion Scotland , externaland Poppyscotland, external will begin broadcasting a live virtual service of remembrance conducted by National Padre Karen Campbell.
11:00 -Prince Charles leads the UK-wide two-minute silence from Scotland. Legion Scotland president Sir Alistair Irwin will lay a single wreath at the Stone of Remembrance in Edinburgh. The first minister has recorded a reading for the virtual service.
12:00 - the charities will make another Facebook broadcast of an hour-long tribute concert, featuring many artists who had been due to take part in a free open air concert in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens.
During the afternoon, Poppyscotland is inviting households to celebrate the day at "virtual" VE Day parties on various video call platforms.
21:00 - the Queen will deliver a pre-recorded address, broadcast on BBC One at the exact moment her father, King George VI, gave a radio address 75 years ago.