Moray fell silent as communities in towns and villages as people remembered family members, friends and colleagues who gave up their lives in 100 years of conflicts.
Remembrance Sunday is always a special day for communities but with the centenary of the start of World War 1, 2014 was of particular significance.
That appeared to be demonstrated with larger than expected numbers turning out at memorials around the region, each standing solemnly with their personal thoughts.
Moray’s own troops from RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks attended several services in the region, with the main body at Elgin where senior military, civic and community leaders led by the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Colonel Greville Johnstone, paid tribute by laying wreaths.
Moray Council was represented by Councillor John Divers, who said he was “amazed” at what he felt was probably the largest turnout he had ever seen.
Councillor Divers told the Press and Journal: “As an ex-serviceman I was delighted to see the number of people who came to show their respects to those who have sacrificed so much for us.”
The sun shone in Lossiemouth where several hundred people gathered to witness wreaths being laid, led by the Station Commander at RAF Lossiemouth, Group Captain Mark Chappell.
In Forres personnel from 39 Engineer Regiment led the way to the war memorial in scenes repeated throughout the region.
Attending the Lossiemouth tribute was former serviceman James Ross, who said: “I travel a lot and attend a Remembrance Day service wherever I might be – but I don’t remember any that seemed quite as meaningful as this year.
“I know it is a special anniversary year, but there is more than that I think. People seem to appreciate more the importance of Remembrance in particular in communities like those in Moray where the forces community is so deep rooted.”
Army led the way in Forres (Jonathan Cleall)