Stirling has been chosen to host the annual celebration of the UK’s armed forces next year.
The Ministry of Defence named the city as the venue for Armed Forces Day 2014, which will take place on June 28. It is a huge honour for Stirling, which becomes the second Scottish city to host the event after Edinburgh took on the role in 2011.
Visitors and residents will enjoy a fantastic weekend of festivities in the area, with spectacular displays by the navy, army and the air force all planned.
Moreover, the celebrations will also coincide with the opening of the new Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre, ensuring that it will be a significant moment for the entire Stirling area.
Provost Mike Robbins said he welcomed the chance to honour the courage of serving men and women and veterans of the army, navy and air force.
“I am particularly pleased because it gives us the chance to pay tribute to all those who are serving in the British forces around the world today,” he said.
“It is also a chance to honour the veterans from our area, and across the UK, who have done so much to defend freedom whether that was in the Second World War, Korea or in more recent conflicts. We can now look forward to a spectacular set of events next June.
“The opening of the Bannockburn Visitor Centre will let people glimpse a medieval world of bloodshed and rivalry from 700 years ago, while National Armed Forces Day underlines how we have now come together in co-operation and unity.”
Stirling has a great military tradition not least through its historic links with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. It also played an important role as a training centre during the First World War.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “I congratulate the city of Stirling on its successful bid to host the UK Armed Forces Day event next year.
“I know that Stirling, with its strong historic military links with the army and the Royal Air Force, will mount a spectacular celebration of our military and lead the rest of the United Kingdom in honouring our armed forces personnel past and present.”
Veterans Minister Keith Brown said he was delighted to see the UK Armed Forces Day returning to Scotland so soon after it was held in Edinburgh in 2011.
“That was a magnificent event and this gives a further opportunity for people across Scotland to show how much they support and appreciate the selfless service of our servicemen and women.
“The Scottish Government has demonstrated its full commitment to supporting the armed forces community in Scotland.”
The Stirling area will host a whole series of events, from the high-profile to the community-based, during 2014 making the most of opportunities such as the Commonwealth Games and the second Year of Homecoming.