More than 200 members of Dundee’s Polish community packed into St Francis Friary on Monday night to mourn the death of their president and 95 other victims of Saturday’s plane crash.
The special solemn requiem mass led by Father Krzysztof Frost included hymns, readings and prayer and closed with the congregation of all ages singing the Polish national anthem.
A list of the names of those killed was displayed by the altar, alongside pictures and floral tributes brought in by mourners.
Fr Frost said the sermon delivered almost entirely in Polish talked about the recent tragic events and the great suffering in the nation’s past.
He said, “I was really happy to see the church packed full not only with members of the Polish community, but also those from St Francis’ parish.
“The main theme of my sermon was the pain and suffering from our history and the pain in all of our hearts after losing our president and so many others.”
He added, “It is painful for us all, but people left in silence and will now go and spend time within themselves. It is something we do.”
The crash at Smolensk airbase in western Russia left no survivors, killing President Lech Kaczynski and his wife in addition to security chiefs, MPs and the governor of the national bank.
They were en route to a ceremony marking the massacre of 22,000 Poles at the hands of the Soviet Army in 1940.
Across Scotland, flags flew at half mast on Monday as a mark of respect government buildings and Holyrood lowered flags while a book of condolence was opened in Aberdeen.
A spokesman said, “All flags are flying at half mast today in recognition of the untimely death of the Polish president, Lech Kaczynski, and his entire entourage in the air crash.”
Aberdeen Lord Provost Peter Stephen said he will write to the Polish ambassador and local Polish association on behalf of the city.
He said, “My thoughts are with the families of those who died in this terrible disaster and I send the heartfelt sympathies of our city to the local Polish community and to the nation of Poland.”
On Sunday thousands of Poles lined the route from Warsaw’s airport to the presidential palace as Mr Kaczynski’s body returned home.
Priests led prayers and his twin brother Jaroslaw knelt on the ground and pressed his head against the flag-draped coffin.
Also on the tarmac were Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Marta Kaczynski, the only child of the president and his wife, Maria.Huge lossScottish secretary Jim Murphy said, “The scale of the human tragedy in this terrible incident is immense and our thoughts are with the Polish people as they come to terms with the tragedy that has befallen their country.
“The loss of their president and leader was a huge loss in itself but is compounded by the loss of scores of other political and military figures.”
He added, “We have a great many Poles here and I know Scotland will support them all they can through this difficult time.”
In London, Gordon Brown joined mourners at the Polish embassy as they paid their respects.
Mr Brown added his name to the book of condolences, opened there on Sunday. He was greeted by Barbara Tuge-Erecinska, the Polish ambassador to the UK.
He told her the tragedy was “so sad” and urged her to ask for help if there was anything he could do.
Mr Brown, who filled a page with his message, wrote, “My thoughts and the thoughts of the people of the United Kingdom are with the people of Poland at this time of tragedy and loss.
“We admire the historic contribution of the president to the rebuilding of Poland.”
He added, “Britain and Poland enjoy a historic association and we will never forget the service to humanity of so many who died.”
The steps to the embassy were covered in floral tributes and candles as Mr Brown arrived.