A weekend of commemoration to honour those who gave their lives at the Battle of Loos has begun.
Members of The Black Watch past and present gathered at Dundee Law on Friday morning to pay tribute to the thousands who made the sacrifice on the battlefield in France 100 years ago.
A beacon at the top of the monument was lit at 6.30am to mark the first British attack on German lines.
A major event was held at the Caird Hall in the evening, with Lorraine Kelly and Game of Thrones star Daniel Portman among the guests enjoying a performance from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
In addition to orchestral music there was poetry, readings and song as well as a screening of the beacon lighting ceremony from earlier in the day.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-yDCgPThgn8%3Frel%3D0
The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will attend a parade of 300 veterans and 250 soldiers this afternoon while a Black Watch commemoration service will be held at Dundee Parish Church (St Mary’s) on Sunday.
The men of The Black Watch will be remembered, including the gallant band of Dundonian reservists who perished launching a diversionary attack on the Germans.
Lord Provost Bob Duncan said the huge toll that Loos had on the city and its surrounding area make it fitting that Dundee is the focus of the commemorations.
“I think it is very important to commemorate the Battle of Loos because of the sheer loss of young life,” he said.
The view from in front of The Caird Hall ahead of this morning's service. pic.twitter.com/xYrNfwGeeR
— Stefan Morkis (@C_SMorkis) September 26, 2015
“For people in Dundee it is part of their history.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The First World War had a significant and broad impact on our nation and as the years pass it is vital that we continue to remember those brave men who fought in the war that was meant to end all wars.”