South Ayrshire Council News

Hundreds of people lined Ayr’s High Street to see Provost Winifred Sloan and Major General WEB Loudon CEB, take the salute.
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Four hundred Officers and Soldiers from the Royal Highland Fusiliers the Second Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Glasgow and Ayrshire's local regiment, paraded through the town of Ayr on Monday 27 October 2008 to mark their homecoming from active service in Afghanistan.

Provost Sloan said: "I was extremely honoured and humbled to take part in the parade acknowledging and paying tribute to the Soldiers who have served their country and selflessly put themselves at risk to protect others.

"Many people from South Ayrshire have a friend of relative who has served in the military in the past, is serving, or plans to do so in the future. I admire Forces Personnel who willing risk their own life to protect us and others. Sadly some soldiers return from active service injured and some do not return, having paid the ultimate sacrifice.

"It is important to remember that the families of serving personnel need our support as well as the Soldiers as they are the ones left worrying at home. Support Our Soldiers is a relatively new project spearheaded by myself and Agnes Hunter to provide support for families of serving personnel and I would encourage any military families to make contact with this group."

The parade started at Pavilion Road in Ayr and finished at Ayr Town Hall, where a private medal presentation ceremony took place before the Regiment, their families and other guests, followed by a lunch hosted by Provost Sloan.