SUNDAY marked the end of an era in Peebles with the laying-up of the Royal British Legion Colours.

And a special memorial was also unveiled to commemorate a century of Remembrance in the Royal Burgh.

After 93 years of aiding and fundraising for veterans, the local branch of the British Legion is being wound up due to an ageing membership and lack of replacement post-holders.

Outside Peebles Parish Church on Sunday the branch's Colours were paraded one last time by Standard Bearers David Watson and Herbert Fergusson ahead of a hand-over ceremony.

As the stanzas of Binyon's moving For the Fallen still echoed around the Parish Church, orated by George Gilchrist, the standards were piped up the aisles and presented to the Lord Lieutenant of Tweeddale, Sir Hew Strachan.

The Reverend Pamela Strachan, who was deputising for the Rev Calum Macdougall, accepted the Colours from her husband in the Chancel on behalf of the Church.

The Peebles branch's Colours will now rest permanently above the WW1 Memorials, and close to the North and South aisles.

Pamela told us: "As Calum, who is recovering from surgery, was instrumental in the early preparations for the ceremony he was disappointed not to be present for the event.

"However, the complete final organisation and implementation of this special service was carried out impeccably by all involved.

"The Royal British Legion Standards, Peebles Branch, are now permanently installed at the front of the Old Parish Church."

Sunday's ceremony concluded with the singing of the national anthem.

Among the guests were Sir David Younger KCVO, Lt General Sir Alistair Irwin, who is the Scottish National President of the Royal British Legion, and the Rev Nancy Norman, who is Padre of the Royal British Legion in Peebles.

And many members of the historic branch, including centenarian Herbert Burchnall, were also in attendance, as were the cadets to the Lord Lieutenant.

A second ceremony took place on the nearby Cuddy Bridge later on Sunday morning to mark last year's centenary of Armistice.

An organising committee, which included many former high-ranking servicemen from the area, organised several parades and commemorations last November.

A memorial plaque, which was made by the Beltane Studios, was unveiled by Sir Hew Strachan and dedicated by the Rev Pamela Strachan.

Sir Hew, who is an acclaimed historian, told the gathering: "Last year Peebles, together with the rest of the country, commemorated the centenary of the Armistice with Germany on November 11, 1918.

"The Rev Calum Macdougall suggested that we, in turn, should mark how the community came together in 2018.

"The idea was taken up by those involved in the local organisation of last year’s events, including Adrian Lucas, Brigadier Bruce Russell and Major John Currie, and a plaque was commissioned from the Beltane Studios.

"We need to thank Iomhar MacIver of the Beltane Studios for the care and sensitivity shown in the production of the final result.

"We also express our gratitude to Scottish Borders Council, and especially to Gareth Smith, for their help in finding such an appropriate location here on the Cuddy Bridge, which links the Old Town of Peebles to its High Street."

Adrian Lucas, who also part of the 2018 centenary committee, paid a special tribute to the Beltane Studios.

He added: "I approached the Beltane Studios for costings to make the centenary plaque.

"Some four days later they came back to me saying they wanted to make the plaque free of charge.

"It is a beautiful plaque and a fitting reminder of how our community came together to honour the sacrifice made by so many."