FALLEN servicemen and women were honoured by the First Minister during one of the many Remembrance Sunday ceremonies taking place across the country.

Nicola Sturgeon laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Scotland outside St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh for the event organised by veterans' charity Legion Scotland.

Representatives from the military, emergency services and various regimental associations were joined by a crowd of hundreds on the Royal Mile to take part in a two-minute silence at 11am.

Sturgeon was flanked by Scotland Office Minister Andrew Dunlop and president of Legion Scotland Sir Alistair Irwin for the wreath-laying at the Stone of Remembrance outside the City Chambers.

She said: "Remembrance Sunday is an opportunity for all of Scotland to join with others right across the world and commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts during the last century and more recently.

"It is a chance to honour the memory of those who lost their lives, while also paying tribute to our veterans and those who continue to

serve today.

"The laying of a wreath is a small but significant tribute, and I am privileged to do so today on behalf of the people of Scotland."

A wreath was also laid by Arctic Convoy veteran James Simpson, 95, from Inveresk, Musselburgh, who served time on the HMS Devonshire during the Second World War.

Kevin Gray, Legion Scotland's chief executive officer, said: "We must learn from the amazing stories and experiences of those who have served their country, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice.

"Sadly, as time moves on the memories become more and more inherited, so now more than ever is the time to ensure we take time to pause, reflect and remember.

In Glasgow, crowds gathered to watch the commemorative service at the Cenotaph at George Square, which was lead by Lord Provost Sadie Docherty in her role as Lord Lieutenant.

She was joined by a number of military representatives and civic leaders, including Deputy First Minister John Swinney, Baroness Annabel Goldie and Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.

The Lord Provost said: "Glasgow owes its military and veterans a great debt. We are proud to remember those who fell and to support our serving military."

William McColl, 57, who watched the Glasgow service and had served in the Royal Highland Fusiliers, said: "We need to make sure our children and young people remember this.

"These people gave up their lives to let us live in the country we have today."

Kezia Dugdale tweeted a picture of the message she left on the Cenotaph, which read: "In memory of those that lost their lives protecting the freedoms we enjoy today. We will remember them."

Aberdeen marked Remembrance Sunday with a ceremony in front of the city's war memorial on Schoolhill, bringing together serving forces, reserves, veterans and cadets.

Lord Provost George Adam led the laying of wreaths before a church service at the Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting.

In London, the Queen was joined by Prime Minister Theresa May and more than 750 Armed Forces personnel to honour the war dead at the Cenotaph in the centre of the city.

The Queen laid a wreath of poppies at the memorial for "The Glorious Dead", and was then followed by members of the royal family, Theresa May and leader of the Opposition Jeremy Corbyn.

The Duchess of Cambridge, Duchess of Cornwall and other royals watched on from the balcony of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Former prime ministers David Cameron, Tony Blair and Sir John Major were also present, along with London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery fired their First World War-era guns to mark the beginning and end of the reflection as Big Ben struck 11am, which was then followed by The Last Post.

This year's Remembrance Sunday is especially poignant as 2016 marks the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland, the 25th anniversary of the Gulf War and the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the Supermarine Spitfire.

There were also wreaths of life-jacket-orange poppies laid ahead of the service by the campaign group Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants to commemorate the thousands of people who have died in the last year trying to reach Europe.