Annual remembrance parade through Inverness cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Inverness's remembrance to honour those who have died in conflict will not be staged this year.
The Inverness branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) said it was exploring the possibility of a smaller alternative tribute, including wreath laying, at the war memorial in Cavell Gardens.
Branch chairman Bart Lucas said it would follow the lead of other towns and cities and was also awaiting guidance from the RBLS.
“The parade is not going ahead,” he said. “It is disappointing.”
The city’s Remembrance Sunday parade and gathering usually attracts large crowds and has grown in recent years.
It involves a contingent of RBLS members and ex-servicemen and women who are joined by military personnel, cadets, politicians, civic leaders and others who walk from Huntly Street to the war memorial for a poignant commemoration service, including a two-minute silence.
Mr Lucas hoped that some sort of tribute observing social distancing rules could still go ahead and said the branch would be monitoring the situation and contacting Highland Council.
He said people might still wish to lay wreaths at the memorial.
“We just need to see how things go,” he said.
“Inverness could remain relatively free of the virus but if we go into lockdown, there might be nothing.”
He said there was also uncertainty about how this year’s poppy appeal could be organised.
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “Highland Council is following national Scottish Government Covid-19 guidelines which state public mass gatherings will not be permitted for some time. They are included in phase four and will be subject to public health advice at that time.”
