Over £200,000 in funding has been awarded to veterans' charities and a project to commemorate the first world war.
Ex-services' charities are to benefit from a cash injection of over £100,000 First Minister Alex Salmond has announced.
The Scottish Veterans Fund will see 16 projects, ranging from respite breaks for veterans and their families to horticultural therapy and access to sport, share £116,000.
Salmond made the announcement at an event honouring the Erskine charity in Edinburgh Castle last night.
He said he was delighted to meet residents and staff of the charity to honour the exceptional work done in serving and looking after our veterans.
Our courageous veterans deserve our support and assistance in return for their selfless service to the nation
“There are an estimated 400,000 ex-service men and women living in Scotland who all have very specific needs and we must do all that we can to cater for them,” Salmond told guests.
“Our courageous veterans deserve our support and assistance in return for their selfless service to the nation.”
The latest input of money into the fund takes the total given to veterans’ charities to over £600,000 since it was launched in 2008.
Jim Wilson fromVeterans Scotland said the money would go a significant way to improving the situation of veterans across Scotland.
“It will be used to support those people and organisations that are helping veterans and will improve the communications and support by these groups,” he said.
"Whilst the majority of veterans make a successful transition to civilian life, the small number that do not will benefit from this funding and the support it will deliver.”
An additional £100,000 is also being made available to Museums Galleries Scotland to create a new fund that supports museums and artists in delivering projects that commemorate the first world war, and communicate its legacy for a new generation.
Joanne Orr, chief executive of Museums Galleries Scotland, said: “We envision museums across the country working with local artists and their communities to mark the centenary.
“We want to encourage children and young people to learn about the war and its resonance to contemporary life in Scotland, and create a lasting legacy for new generations.”
