The First Minister has laid a wreath to commemorate servicemen and women killed in conflict as remembrance services took place across Scotland.

Her wreath was one of more than 100 laid at the Stone of Remembrance outside the City Chambers in Edinburgh at a memorial event organised by veterans charity Legion Scotland.

Anne Blair, the widow of the highest ranking soldier killed by the IRA, and her daughter Alexandra Nevill also laid tributes.

Hundreds gathered on the Royal Mile to pay their respects including senior military figures, serving forces, veterans and cadets.

Military bands played as parades were formed ahead of the two-minute silence, marked by a gun fired from Edinburgh Castle.

Ms Sturgeon said: "Remembrance Sunday is always a poignant occasion.

"It's an opportunity for all of us individually and collectively to pay our respects to those who have fought in our armed forces, our veterans, and those who currently serve in our armed forces to keep the whole world safe.

"We owe them an enormous debt of gratitude. Today is a moment to remember the sacrifices that have been made.

"At the moment as we do commemorate the centenary of the First World War battles this occasion is all the more important, significant and poignant for many, but we have lost people in wars since the First World War.

"There are those in our armed forces today who are still putting themselves in the line of duty so we must remember them and pay respect and remember with gratitude those who have sacrificed so much in the past."

Mrs Blair, who husband Lieutenant Colonel David Blair was one of 18 soldiers killed by an IRA bomb at Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland, on August 27 1979, was accompanied by her husband's regimental colleague Eddie Maley as she laid a wreath on behalf of the War Widows Association.

Her daughter placed a poppy tribute for The Queen's Own Highlanders, the regiment of which her father was commanding officer when he died in the army's worst single peacetime loss since the Second World War.

Mrs Blair said it was the first time she had laid a wreath in her husband's memory at a large-scale public remembrance service.

She said: "It's such an honour and a privilege to be here today. It's such a big moment for myself and my daughter."

She said she felt there was perhaps less focus on more recent conflicts at memorial services, adding: "Northern Ireland is a very difficult topic. It's a diplomatic, tricky thing so there isn't an awful lot of focus on them."

Her daughter added: "It's as important to remember the loss of life in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. They were all trying to protect the lives of British citizens."

Edinburgh's Lord Provost Frank Ross and Holyrood's Presiding Officer were among others laying wreaths.

Elsewhere, Veterans Minister Keith Brown laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Scotland at the cenotaph at Puller Memorial Park at the Bridge of Allan Remembrance Service.

Meanwhile, a two-minute silence was held at a service at the cenotaph in George Square, Glasgow led by the city's Lord Provost, Eva Bolander and attended by Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

Ms Bolander said: "Remembrance Sunday is a day for reflection and gratitude for those who gave their lives in conflict to preserve our freedoms.

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