Remembrance Sunday commemorations will go ahead in Caithness – but in a much more low-key way than usual.

The county's main two events, at Thurso and Wick, will be significantly scaled down as the local branches of Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) seek to ensure they are complying with the Covid-19 guidelines.

Normally there are parades and services in both towns with large crowds of onlookers paying their respects, but Remembrance Sunday 2020 will be characterised by short, simple ceremonies.

Thurso RBLS branch officials failed to persuade Highland Council and Police Scotland that what they had proposed came within the Scottish Government guidelines. The branch now proposes to transfer the service part of the ceremony, including the exhortation and two-minute silence, to St Peter's and St Andrew's Church where the branch padre, the Rev David Malcolm, is minister.

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They point out that holding a service and ceremony inside a place of worship is within the current guidelines for a level one area.

After the service is completed, participants will make their way in an informal, socially distanced manner to the nearby war memorial to lay their wreaths before dispersing.

Branch chairman Gus Mackay said: "We have changed our plans to meet the Scottish Government guidelines, so we hope that everyone who normally lays wreaths at the Thurso war memorial will join with us to do so. We will take all the protective measures necessary throughout.

"While the number in church is restricted to 49, that may allow space for a few others to attend.

"We are especially pleased that, since we are compliant with guidance, Viscount Thurso, the Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness, wishes to join us to represent the Sovereign."

The service is due to start at the usual time of 10.45am.

Alex Paterson, chairman of the RBLS Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch, confirmed that there would be a simple wreath-laying ceremony at the Wick war memorial but no parade or service there.

He said members of the public are not being encouraged to gather. Any people who do choose to attend will have to remain socially distanced.

“We’re trying our best to do something," Mr Paterson said. “We’re planning to have the two colours there, and the piper playing, and get the wreaths laid as quickly as possible.

"We want to get six people, probably Legion members, to lay the wreaths for everybody. There will be no bairns involved."

“If people do come down, they will have to keep their distance from each other.”

The Legion padre, the Rev John Nugent of Wick St Fergus Church, will be saying a prayer. There will be a short service in the church but because of restricted seating it will not be the usual civic service.

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