Inverness Armed Forces Day parade returns for first time since coronavirus pandemic
Veterans will march alongside members of the cadet services as an Armed Forces Day parade returns to the streets of Inverness.
The parade, on Saturday June 28, was last held before the coronavirus pandemic and the organisers hope it could herald a much bigger event next year.
The annual Armed Forces Day, marking the culmination of Armed Forces Week, is a chance for the public to show support for the men and women in the Armed Forces community from serving personnel to service families, veterans and cadets.
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The Inverness branch and club of the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) will celebrate Armed Forces Day with a programme of events including a parade through the city centre and a drumhead service in Inverness Cathedral supported by Inverness Military Wives Choir.
Bart Lucas, chairman of the Inverness branch of the RBLS, said the last such event in the Highland capital was pre-pandemic and he hoped this one could be the forerunner of a similar larger event next year - possibly the main one for Scotland.
“We are hoping to get it restarted as an annual event,” he said.
“We will start it as a low level one and see how it goes.
“We would like it to be the main one for Scotland next year.
“It would mean we would get more support from the military and it would bring prestige to the city as a whole.”
Mr Lucas also pointed out that by next year Inverness Castle will have reopened following its transformation into a tourist attraction for the Highlands and he speculated whether the salute could be taken in its grounds.
It is also hoped the Northern Meeting Park, which is undergoing a £5 million refurbishment, will be available.
About 50 veterans are set to take part in this year’s parade and are expected to be joined by 50 to 60 members of the cadet services plus reservists.
They will be led by the Inverness RBLS Band.
The parade will form up in Huntly Street at 1.30pm and set off at 1.45pm, taking a route along to Inverness Cathedral.
The salute will be taken by the Inverness Provost, Glynis Campbell Sinclair, Wing Commander Shane Spence, of the RAF Regiment, and David Sutherland.
The drumhead service starts at 2.30pm and is open to all.
The parade will reform about 3.45pm and march to Huntly Street via Ness Walk.
The day will also include a street collection, supported by the three cadet services, between 9.30am and noon.
