Hundreds of soldiers have been given a heroes welcome after returning to Aberdeen from tours of Iraq and Ukraine.
Members of the public flocked to Union Street yesterday to see around 200 members of The Highlanders, 4th Batallion Royal Regiment of Scotland, march with pipes and drums and military vehicles.
The battalion, also known as 4Scots, has roots with the Aberdeen-based Gordon Highlanders, which merged with other units in 1994 then became part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006.
Operations officer Captain Frazer Stark said: “We’re always very, very grateful when people turn out to come and see us.
“It’s especially good for family and friends to see the guys. We always love coming back to the north-east.”
Lance Corporal Darren Wynne, from Dyce, had been serving as a section second in command in Iraq, helping with education programmes and securing the troops’ camp.
He said: “It was really good that everyone took the time to see the battalion march down Union Street and show their support for the Highlanders.
“It is not just a battalion, it’s a family. We want people from the north-east to see that.”
Those who turned out also got the chance of hands-on experience with some of the vehicles at the Castlegate, including a Jackal 4×4 operated by troops in full camouflage and two specially-adapted quad bikes.
Cameron Mackay from Banchory-Devenick was in the crowd to cheer them on.
The 10-year-old said: “I really like history, and particularly World War I, so this is really interesting.”
Lydia Thiry took her two sons to see the parade, and said: “We are new to Scotland so this was a good way to show the children the city.
“The kids are really enjoying it, but maybe that’s just boys being boys.”
Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Barney Crockett, took the salute as the battalion passed by the Town House, in his role of lord lieutenant for the city.
He added: “It is always an enormous honour to take the salute.
“The regiment is massively close to the city and played a great part in our history.
“In the modern world we are particularly keen to show support for the soldiers, especially now they have returned from dangerous situations abroad.”