King and Swinney lead tributes to those who made the ultimate sacrifice

REMEMBRANCE Sunday is "ever more important" amid global conflict and the threat to democracy, the First Minister said as he led tributes at a ceremony in Edinburgh.

- BY REBECCA RUSSELL AND ROSS THOMSON

John Swinney laid a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance outside Edinburgh City Chambers on Sunday alongside Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, Holyrood Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone, Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, veterans and service personnel.

When the gun fired from Edinburgh Castle at 11am, the nation fell silent for two minutes to remember those who died in conflict.

Reverend Dr Scott M Rennie, minister of St Giles' Cathedral, then led a short Service of Remembrance.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Swinney said it is important that people today remember the sacrifices made by those in the past.

He said: "Sunday is a very important moment for us all to pause and to remember the sacrifices that were made by others to enable us to live our lives in freedom and in peace today.

"Those sacrifices were made in times of enormous conflict to ensure that the liberties we enjoy today are ones that we can enjoy.

"Our society has got to remember those sacrifices and Remembrance Sunday is ever more important in the times that we experience today."

Mr Swinney said it is important the message of Remembrance Sunday is passed "from generation to generation".