The Isle of Cumbrae Pipe Band attended the Merchant Navy Remembrance Service in Millport in resplendent weather on Saturday.

The Millport Branch of the Royal British Legion held a Merchant Navy parade on Saturday with the Isle of Cumbrae Pipe Band in attendance.

The parade started at the memorial at 1pm, and has been a regular tradition in the town for many years.

There was a short service at The Cairn Memorial, which was followed by a parade from West Bay Park to The War Memorial.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:

The Isle of Cumbrae Pipe Band practice in Kilwinning Academy every Wednesday at 7.30pm.

The British Merchant Navy is the collective name given to British civilian ships and their associated crews, including officers and ratings.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:

The British Merchant Navy was historically one of the largest ship registries and source of crew in the world, with 33% of global tonnage registered in 1939.

However, since the mid 20th century, the number of shipowners, ships, officers and crew have declined. As of 2023, the British Merchant Navy numbered 1,054 ships.

Merchant Navy vessels fly the Red Ensign and the ships and crew are regulated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), a specialist agency of the UK Department of Transport.

British merchant ships are registered under the UK or Red Ensign group ship registries.