THE lives of thousands of Scottish merchant seamen have been remembered at a poignant ceremony in Edinburgh.
The memorial service at South Leith Parish Church yesterday saw respects paid to merchant seaman who have lost their lives in time of war and peace.
About 20 wreaths were laid at the Scottish Seaferers' memorial in Leith by organisations such as the Mission to Seafarers and the Merchant Navy, while civic leaders also paid tribute.
Unveiled three years ago by Princess Anne, the memorial is a sandstone monument erected as a permanent tribute to the more than 6,500 Scottish Merchant Navy personnel who fought and died in the two world wars and other conflicts. It also commemorates those who died while in service along the world's trading routes during peacetime.
The Princess Royal is also patron of the Merchant Navy Memorial Trusts (Scotland), founded in 2009.
The striking memorial at The Shore, Leith, was created by renowned Scottish sculptor Jill Watson. She studied at Edinburgh College of Art and is also involved in a project to commemorate the 1881 East Coast fishing disaster.
The sandstone column in Leith features seafaring scenes in bronze relief.
The Shore was chosen as the location for the memorial because Leith was Scotland's premier port for more than 300 years, and served as Edinburgh's trading port for more than 700 years.
The memorial also recognises the 132 years of service dedicated to the Merchant Navy by Leith Nautical College and its training ship Dolphin.
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