Scottish troops on deployment thousands of miles from home have sent Christmas messages to family and friends.
Those abroad include more than 100 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS) who are training security forces in Iraq. The Scots Dragoon Guards are working as part of a UN Peacekeeping force in Cyprus, while two Clyde-based Minehunter ships are on duty in the Gulf over the festive period.
The Dragoon Guards recorded a video of pipers and drummers performing Ode to Joy which was sent home to families along with Christmas messages.
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Lt Colonel Dominic Coombes, Commanding Officer of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, said: “Christmas will always be a bittersweet time for those deployed and their families back at home, but while we miss our loved ones in Scotland and elsewhere, we will come together as a Regimental family to make the most of an opportunity to enjoy Christmas as a collective.
“At the same time, we’ll redouble our efforts in our operational role as we go into the New Year and the latter stage of our tour before looking forward to returning home in time for Easter.”
Around 5,000 UK sailors, marines, soldiers, airmen, and airwomen are serving on operations across the globe.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “I pay a huge tribute to the brave servicemen and women from across Scotland who are away from their families over the festive period.”