The crowds cheered and the music played on but there was no disguising the sadness as the century-long relationship between St Andrews and the RAF came to an end on Saturday.
The centre of town came to a standstill as the servicemen and women of RAF Leuchars exercised their freedom of the town for one last time.
A parade through the streets brought scores of people out in support, the occasion crowned by a flypast from a Typhoon based at the airbase.
Though tinged with sadness, the occasion was also one of celebration, with personnel of 58th squadron returning from a seven-month tour in Afghanistan.
Despite setting off fractionally early, the event was run with military precision, with about 250 men and women marching behind the banners of the Leuchars-based squadrons.
The route along North Street and South Street was packed with spectators, with the sounds of traditional Scottish and brass bands joined by that of applause as the community paid its own tribute to the RAF.
Thanking those who turned out, station commander Air Commodore Gerry Mayhew, said: “It was a tremendous honour to exercise our Freedom of St Andrews for the last time in front of such a large audience.
“The support shown to the station by the people of Fife and Tayside, in recent times and throughout our long history, has been truly humbling.
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“I speak for all RAF Leuchars personnel, past and present, when I say we are profoundly grateful to the community we have been proud to serve, and proud to call home, for nearly a century.”
The right to march through the town was first granted by the Royal Burgh of St Andrews in 1968.
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With the RAF soon to leave its Fife home, Saturday presented the opportunity for both the town and service personnel to display their mutual appreciation.
Fife Provost Jim Leishman addressed those on parade, saying: “I speak for all Fifers when I say we have been very proud to support the RAF at Leuchars.
“This has been a real celebration of a long history in Fife and I’m extremely honoured to have played a part in the final parade. I’d like to wish all RAF personnel the very best for the future, whether they are remaining in Fife, or moving on to new challenges.”
The army is set to take over from the RAF at Leuchars, with the first personnel due to arrive in June next year.