newsNovember 11, 2016 at 1:05 pm

The centre of Kirkwall stood in silence this morning as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in conflict.

A two-minute silence was observed during the Armistice Day moment of remembrance at the Kirkwall and St Ola War Memorial, and at various other locations throughout the islands.

The more formal commemorations are due to take place on Sunday.

The silence began today at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – the time in 1918 when the guns fell silent along the Western Front in Europe.

Eddy Ross, chairman of the Kirkwall Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, said that he was grateful that so many members of the public lined Broad Street for the silence, and also paid their respects on the Kirk Green.

He also said that he was grateful that the OIC had closed the street to traffic during the silence, which made the moment more poignant.