The streets of Elgin fell silent yesterday as thoughts turned to those who have lost their lives in conflict.
A Remembrance Sunday parade, led by the Elgin and District Pipe Band, marched from the museum down to the High Street at 10.40am.
Armed forces officers and personnel were joined by Moray MP Angus Robertson and representatives of several organisations who paid their respects by laying wreaths ahead of a Service of Remembrance at St Giles Church.
With hundreds of people looking on, a trumpeter preceded a two-minute silence at exactly 11am with a rendition of the Last Post.
Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Lieutenant Colonel Greville Johnstone, then led the wreath-laying at the memorial.
The Moray Council, Elgin Community Council, the RAF Association, Seaforth Club, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Elgin and District Ex-Servicemen’s Club and cadets, scouts and beavers were all represented.
In the afternoon, a short service was held at Cemetery Drive in New Elgin, with a total of 50 services taking place across the region.
Councillor John Divers, formally of the Royal Navy, represented the council at both Elgin ceremonies and said he was amazed by number of young people who attended.
He said: “I thought the turn out was excellent at both venues in Elgin.
“I was amazed. It’s probably the largest turn out I’ve seen. To see the amount of young people there too was brilliant.
“Over the last three or four years, participation has really picked up.
“As an ex-servicemen myself, I was delighted to see the number of people who came to show their respects to those who have sacrificed so much for us.”
Eddie Pratt, chairman of the Lossiemouth Royal Air Force Association, said: “This is a very special day because this year is the 100th anniversary of the start of the war, and I think the next four years until 2018 will be special as well.
“We remember those who gave their lives for their country in the Great War, but I always think about the guys who lost their lives in Afghanistan in the Nimrod crash as well.
“This day is about remembering all those who have lost their lives serving for their country.”
Jeanette Netherwood, leader of 2nd Elgin Scout Company and Elgin Explorers, said: “We come every year.
“We think it’s really important for the young people to remember.”