Glorious singing and poignant thoughts broke the monotony of council business in Inverness yesterday to mark Armed Forces Day.
Debates were sidelined briefly to pay tribute to Britain’s lost, serving and former servicemen and women and those killed in recent terrorist attacks at a flag-raising event outside the council’s Inverness headquarters.
Rev Stewart MacKay, padre to the 3rd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) gave the address and the Inverness Military Wives Choir, led by their musical conductor Kieran Forsyth, gave a moving rendition of “Bring him Home.”
Ex soldier Roddy Balfour, the council’s armed forces veterans’ champion said: “It’s an important privilege that the council has to remember the many thousands from the Highlands who gave their lives in the two world wars and conflicts since, and to show our continuing support for the armed forces.”
The council’s civic and facilities team leader Scott Taylor played the “Green Hills of Tyrol” on the pipes as the flag was raised by Paul Wilson, chairman of the Royal British Legion (Scotland) Inverness branch.
Watching on were council staff and pupils from Millburn and Inverness high schools along with forces representatives from 3 Scots, 7 Scots, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. The emergency services were also represented.
