Hundreds of Edinburgh residents lined the Royal Mile on Friday afternoon to pay their respects to a courageous firefighter who died in the line of duty.
Barry Martin tragically lost his life on January 27 four days after sustaining injuries while tackling a fire at the former Jenners building on Princes Street.
His cortege was due to leave McDonald Road Fire Station in Edinburgh at around 11.20am on the morning of February 17 after a private event for family and colleagues had taken place.
READ MORE: Barry Martin's wife pays tribute to ‘proud’ Edinburgh firefighter ahead of funeral
It was then to travel along Haddington Place before turning onto London Road. From there it would proceed to Abbeymount and along Abbeyhill.
The funeral procession was then scheduled to enter the foot of the Canongate by the Scottish Parliament and travel up the Royal Mile in a ceremonial procession where it is expected to arrive at St Giles Cathedral at 12.20pm.
Images from the Royal Mile showed a fire appliance slowly leading the cortege towards St Giles' Cathedral with Barry's colleagues standing sentry on the vehicle. Moments later, Barry's funeral car followed behind with a floral tribute on his coffin bearing the word 'Daddy'.
Locals gathered to pay their respects to the fallen hero and a private service will honour the brave 38-year-and a private committal will take place thereafter.
His wife Shelley had paid tribute to him last night in a heartfelt message. She said: “Barry was motivated, proud, and driven to be the best he could be, for himself, for his family, for his colleagues, and for the community and wider public.
“Being there for people, during their time of greatest need, meant everything to him in his career.”
Mrs Martin said her husband was a devoted father to their two sons, eight-year-old twins Oliver and Daniel, and said she was “utterly privileged” to be his wife.
“Our sons could not have wished for a more loving and attentive father. He was a busy dad, transporting our sons to their various activities, and being there for them,” she said.
“I felt utterly privileged to be his wife throughout our life together and always will. Our love, admiration and respect for him, will last forever.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also paid tribute to the fallen hero and updated the public on the funeral details.
They posted on their website: “Today, hundreds of firefighters from across Scotland will join the family and friends of Barry Martin in paying tribute at his funeral service to be held at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.
“The death of a firefighter is deeply felt throughout the whole fire and rescue service community - across Scotland and beyond.
“Barry's wife, Shelley, has described him as a remarkable man who was exhilarated to be a firefighter.
“He was a father-of-two, from Rosyth in Fife - a beloved husband of Shelley, much-loved father of Oliver and Daniel and dear son of Carol and Bill.
“He was based at McDonald Road Community Fire Station in Edinburgh and was part of the Blue Watch.
“All Blue Watch colleagues in Edinburgh will be stood down today.
“At midday, the funeral cortege will make its way from the base of the Royal Mile, arriving at the Cathedral at 12.30pm when the service, by invitation, will begin.
“The service will be broadcast live from 12.15 here.
“We have more information for those who wish to pay their respects available on our website here.
“Barry's family wish to thank everyone for their support, wishes and love at the hardest time of their lives. They will be deep in our thoughts today and always.”
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