Monday June 23rd 2025
Armed Forces Day flag raining ceremony at Edinburgh's City Chamber's
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
An Armed Forces Day flag was rasied above Edinburgh’s City Chamber’s in a ceremony that took place in the City Chambers Qudrangle, marking the beginning of Armed Forces Week.
The flag raising ceremony that took place today marks the official start of Armed Forces Week with the armed forces day flag being handed over to the Edinburgh Council, to fly it above the Chambers throughout the week. Accomanied by a piper, a small escort party walked the flag into the Chamber Quadrangle where it was passed to Depute Lord Provost Lezley, then taken indoors to be raised above the City Chambers.
The ceremony consisted of a piper LSgt Mark Mcrae Scots Guards, Scotland National Parade Marshal Tony Hooman, two standard bearers Billy Morrison and Paul Cooper alongside Eddie Maley, carrying the flag into the chambers then handing it over to Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion-Cameron accompanied by representatives from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, where the flag was taken indoors and raised from the roof at 11am.
The flag was raised to let the people of Edinburgh know that this week is an appreciation week for the armed forces, alongside encourage people to take part in the various events organised for Saturday.
Scotland National Field Marshal Tony Hooman explained, “The ceremony today was handing the Armed Forces day flag over to the council. They will fly it today for the week and that’ll let people in Edinburgh know that this is armed forces week. Plus it will give people the oppurtunity to come out on Saturdya to show their appreciation for the troops.”
The official Armed Forces Day is this coming Saturday on the 28th with celebrations across the UK, including events in Edinburgh such as a parade along George Street towards St Andrews Square.
Armed Forces Week is a week to show appreciation for the service of armed forces presonnel across the country alongside veterans who have either passed away or come home with injury and trauma.
Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion-Cameron explained, “Today’s ceremony is about raising the armed forces flag high and proudly above the City Chambers and it marks the official start of armed forces week which starts today. There’s various events happening around the country but on Saturday we have a parade, that is the main event in Edinburgh.”
“It’s a week to appreciate the service of our armed forces personnel and not just those who serve, but those who support those who serve or those who perhaps unfortunately come home with injury or trauma.”
She highlighted the importance in showing appreciation for armed forces, “It’s important. All of this matters hugely and I think today’s world is uncertain and dangerous and our armed forces personnel do such amazing, brave work. Not just great work here, but all around the world.”
“It’s important to contemplate the dangers of the situations they have to confront as they go about their duties as an armed forces personnel. We all want to live in a world that’s safe and peaceful but today’s world events are fast changing and unpredictable. So, it’s important to recognise those who serve.”
Armed Forces Day flag raised above the City Chambers
Alongside Armed Forces Week, many other events are organised throughout the year. For example, Deputy Lord Provost Lezley Marion-Cameron and the Edinburgh Council organised a concert to celebrate VA 80 years, which paid tribute to those who served and passed away.
Lezley Marion-Cameron explained, “Earlier this year, we had a concert for VA 80 years that pays tribute to those who did serve and paid the ultimate price. So it’s always important to remember those who served and paid the ultimate price for the safe peaceful world that we are able to enjoy in the UK today, but also for those who save now because it’s becoming ever more difficult with technological advancements in warfare.”
Events such as Armed Forces Week, encourages the public to show appreciation and reminds people of the important work armed forces do, alongside encouraging younger generations to understand the work forces do and the importance of their work.
Speaking to Depute Lord Provost, she spoke on how events such as Armed Forces Week encourages appreciation.
“Day’s like this and weeks like this matter hugely because they help to remind us and raise the importance of what our armed forces do. In my role as Depute Lord Provost is to take part in the annual November remembrance day services but I think the armed forces week in particular has helped to engender that appreciation down the generations.”
“Our armed forces personnel have experienced cuts to numbers over the years and funding for defence has varied. I think events like this matter hugely. I hope today’s young people are seeing the opportunity to do those good works too.”
Beginning today, Armed Forces Week will run until Monday the 30th with today’s ceremony marking the beginning of the important week. The flag above the City Chambers will proudly fly until the end of the week, both shining a light on Armed Forces Week alongside representing an appreciation for the work armed forces personnel do to keep Scotland a safer country.
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