By Amanda MacMillan
AN emotional tear was shed by many as the troops from 1SCOTS marched through Colinton in Edinburgh last Friday ahead of a march down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile last Saturday.
Onlookers lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the soldiers who have just returned from a six-month tour in Afghanistan.
Lynne Fell, from Edinburgh, came out to see the troops with her mum who is just out of hospital. She said: “It’s just so important to support the guys who have just come back.
“The tissues have had to come out. I found the whole thing so emotional and just loved everything about it. I’m just so grateful for what they are doing for us.”
Jack Barnetson, 87, from Edinburgh, was in the army himself and also came out to watch the troops march down Colinton Road.
He said: “The parade was very emotional and very impressive and I was surprised with the number of women who were involved, not only in the band but as soldiers. They’re playing their part in the whole operation.
“Considering we saw them going on the way to Afghanistan six months ago and many have been killed or injured.
“I was a prison of war in Italy in the last war so it is very emotional for me.”
The parade in Colinton followed those which took place in Galashiels and Linlithgow.
A march also took place down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile followed by a medals parade at Holyrood Park.
