Armed services launch Scottish Poppy Appeal at Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance

Service personnel and veterans have launched this year's Scottish Poppy Appeal at a ceremony in Edinburgh, marking the start of the annual appeal.

Senior members of all three armed services were present to honour the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces community at the official opening of the Edinburgh Garden and Field of Remembrance.

Three million poppies will be sold throughout Scotland as part of the country's largest campaign to raise money for veterans and military personnel.

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Austin Hardie, Director of Poppyscotland, said: "This is needed more than ever, as we are seeing an increasing demand for our services due to the cost-of-living crisis."

The Edinburgh Gardens are open to the public, who are welcome to visit and pay tribute over the coming weeks.

Lieutenant Colonel Lorne Ian Campbell, Commander of Edinburgh Garrison, said: "Throughout my career, at this time of year I have paused to reflect on the enormous sacrifices made by those who have gone before.

"I think of those fellow soldiers I have served with who have done their duty by their country in the heat and cold, wet and dry, 24 hours a day and seven days a week at peace, on operations and at war to protect the nation and defend our way of life.

"I have been reassured by the quite outstanding work conducted over the many years by Poppyscotland in support of those who have needed, and in many cases still do, help to overcome challenges that some face once they hang up their uniforms for the last time."

Brigadier Andy Muddiman, Royal Marines, Naval Regional Commander Scotland & Northern Ireland, highlighted the importance of honouring the remembrance period every year.

He said: "Sacrifice is something that should always be acknowledged, and the remembrance period is when we collectively, as a nation, remember those service personnel who gave their lives in order to ensure our way of life continues.

"It's gratifying to see people wearing the poppy because it shows that people do care and that they are happy to outwardly display that.

"It reminds everyone that we have entered that period when we should be remembering those souls who did not return from the battlefield and acknowledging that our country retains the freedom it has as a result of that sacrifice."

Dr Claire Armstrong, chief executive of Royal British Legion Scotland, added: "From the First World War to more recent conflicts, it is essential that we continue to honour and remember those who gave their lives for our country."