HUNDREDS OF ex-servicemen and club members are converging on Perth for a host of events by and in honour of the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS).

A conference at Perth City Hall yesterday began a weekend of events, to include a grand parade of up to 2000 people and vintage vehicles and the granting of the Freedom of the City of Perth to the organisation, the first such ceremony for more than two decades.

It is the beginning of what city fathers hope will be a long and friendly association with the RBLS, which is set to bring its conference back to Perth in future years.

Conference delegates filled local hotels from Thursday night and by yesterday, replete with medals, had become a common sight on the streets of Perth.

They were welcomed by Provost Bob Scott as the city hall business began.

This weekend, Perth is expected to be very busy—and heavily disrupted—as the colourful events, also to mark the D-Day landings 60 years ago, take place.

Many streets will be closed during today’s events, which include the Freedom ceremony at 2.15 pm on the North Inch, complete with entertainment such as pipe bands, and the parade after 4 pm.

People travelling by car are also being urged to use park and ride services available at Broxden, with extra buses into town.

Parking is to be suspended all day today in areas such as the dry arch of Perth Bridge, the disabled spaces in King Edward Street, and parts of South St John’s Place and High Street. Some bus services will also be temporarily rerouted, with stops moved from South Street, High Street and George Street to Scott Street.

Other highlights will include a flypast over the North Inch by Tornados from RAF Leuchars at about 3 pm today. Full information is available from local tourist offices.