An Edinburgh city war memorial has been scorched overnight - less than 24 hours after Remembrance Sunday services concluded.
Images from Monday morning show burnt poppy wreaths and memorial offerings strewn around the memorial outside of the Edinburgh City Chambers building.
"Someone set fire to Edinburgh's War Memorial," a TikTok caption speculated.
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A spokesperson for Scottish Fire and Rescue said engines were called to an open fire outside of City Chambers at 05:14am on Monday. When engines arrived, the fire had already been extinguished.
A TikTok video surfaced on Monday showing the burnt wreaths. The city's Stone of Remembrance can be seen with scorch marks on its sides and on the ground around it.
Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “Yesterday it was my honour to lay a wreath on behalf of the City of Edinburgh to remember those who served and sacrificed so much. The vandalism discovered this morning not only to the recently laid wreaths but also Edinburgh’s Stone of Remembrance is disgusting and disrespectful. We remain at a loss for the reasons someone could do something like this which has caused a lot of upset for everyone who respects the memories of all who serve their country. We have reported this to the police and would urge anyone who knows anything about what happened to contact them.”
The red poppy wreaths and memorial flowers were laid around the war memorial at the entrance to Edinburgh City Chambers on the Royal Mile, on Sunday during Remembrance day services.
The Lord Provost and First Minister laid wreaths at the service and observed one minute of silence following the city's remembrance parade from the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.
"This is literally the lowest of the low to do this," a TikTok user wrote.
"I have no words for this act of total disrespect," another said.
The city's remembrance parade of veterans set off from Edinburgh Castle Esplanade at 10.32am led By the Royal Air Force Central Scotland Pipes and Drums. Service detachments from The Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force followed behind them led by The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The parade stopped in front of the City Chamber's War Memorial to lay wreaths and commemorate the fallen at 11am.
The Stone of Remembrance was first erected in 1927 to honour the people of Edinburgh who served and died in the First World War. It is always the location for annual Remembrance Sunday ceremonies.
The incident was reported to Police.
Chief Inspector Murray Tait, Local Area Commander said: “Our enquiries are ongoing after poppy wreaths were set on fire at the war memorial in High Street, Edinburgh around 5am on Monday, 14 November.
“Officers are carrying out enquiries and gathering CCTV footage to find out more information on whoever is responsible. I utterly condemn this appalling act of vandalism, especially at this time of year when remembrance services have just been held across the country. “
If anyone has any information that will assist our investigation, please contact officers through 101 with reference number 601 of 14 November.”
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