Hundreds line the streets of Rosyth for 100th anniversary of Battle of Jutland

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Commissioner for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Baroness Annabel Goldie joined the nation in remembering the service and sacrifice made by those who fought at World War One’s biggest naval battle.

Rosyth, where the battlecruiser fleet was based in 1916, marked the start of the commemorations, where wreaths were laid followed by an act of remembrance in Rosyth Parish Church. 

Local schoolchildren carried out readings on behalf of the community, before laying a book of remembrance on the altar of the church. A poignant minute’s silence saw the ringing of a bell made from the hull of HMS Tiger, a battlecruiser which suffered only light damage during the Jutland campaign despite suffering many hits by German shells.

Shortly afterwards, a further act of remembrance took place in South Queensferry Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Cemetery where 40 casualties from the battle are commemorated or buried.

Dunfermline singer Barbara Dickson, whose uncle was killed in the Battle of the Somme, sang the Scottish lament, ‘Flowers of the Forest’, as a wreath was laid by the Princess Royal on behalf of the nation to remember those lost.

The day concluded at Hawes Pier in South Queensferry, where hundreds turned out to pay their respects.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "This centenary commemoration is an opportunity for us to honour and pay tribute to the many thousands of sailors from both sides who lost their lives during the Battle of Jutland.

"The sacrifices made by those who fought in this battle, the largest naval encounter of the First World War, and by other seafarers throughout the conflict must never be forgotten.”

Fife’s Depute Provost Cllr Kay Morrison added: “The events in Fife and South Queensferry are also about remembering the sacrifices made by all of all those who contributed to the war effort, and ensuring that their compelling stories are told for generations to come.

“Our naval heritage is an integral and valued part of Rosyth’s history. Scotland, and Rosyth’s naval dockyards, played a vital role in the UK’s war efforts, and the focus for these commemorations is reconciliation.”

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant, Donald Wilson, said: “It has been a proud moment for me to stand alongside the ancestors of those who fought and died for their country to commemorate the Battle of Jutland.

"Looking out across the Firth of Forth, it is heart-breaking to think that close to 9,000 British and German lives were lost during the naval clash.”

Capt Chris Smith RN, Naval Regional Commander Scotland & Northern Ireland, said: “Next Tuesday sees the centenary of the Battle of Jutland, fought 300 miles East of Edinburgh out on the Jutland Bank between the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet, in a bid for control of the seas. Over 252 ships from both sides engaged in the action and 100,000 sailors and more than 8000 lives were lost in under 12 hours.

“This weekend we are commemorating the role played by the River Forth, not only as the departure point of Admiral Beatty's Battle Cruiser Squadron, 52 ships which were the first into action, but also for its much wider contribution to the Great War at sea. The support given by the fishing fleet, and other merchant vessels, and the support of the local population in amongst whom many sailors made homes and started families, is something we recognise and are grateful for.

“Also, of course, it is 101 years since the opening of the Rosyth Dockyard – no-one would have predicted back then that the largest aircraft carriers the Royal Navy has ever seen would begin construction here – but again this river and its people are making a very significant contribution to the Royal Navy of the 21st century.”