ARMY veterans from Prestonpans have returned to Scotland following a tour of the First World War battlefields.

Eric Yule and Andrew Davie both joined the Royal British Legion Scotland on the trip to France and Belgium.

The duo were part of a Scottish delegation that took part in Great Pilgrimage 90, a route that retraced the steps of the 11,000 veterans and widows involved in the original pilgrimage of 1928.

The tour marked the start of the build up towards Armistice 100 – the one hundred year anniversary of the end of The Great War.

There were 47 standard bearers and wreath layers from Scotland, with 23 legion branches raising funds to get there.

Edward O’Connor, local branch manager, said: “The Prestonpans branch proudly represented the people of Prestonpans at a unique occasion, where we carried our standards and wreaths with our comrades from around the world to commemorate the last 100 days of World War One.”

Kevin Gray, Legion Scotland’s CEO, said: “It was an emotional journey as the Legion community came together to pay respects to the brave men and women who gave their lives defending their countries.

“Thousands of members paraded shoulder to shoulder through the arches of the Menin Gate and came together in the Great Square afterwards in a display of comradeship and remembrance.”

Mr Gray said he was “honoured” to have been part of the event.