Soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland have been welcomed home by their families after a six-month tour of duty.

Crowds gathered in Ayr for a homecoming parade for 400 troops from the 2nd Battalion (2 Scots) of the regiment following their deployment in Iraq, South Sudan and Cyprus, where they worked with local military and UN forces.

After the parade soldiers met with their loved ones, including Lance Corporal Anthony Boyle who was reunited with his six-year-old and seven-month-old daughters.

Troops return
Lance Corporal Anthony Boyle, from Kilmarnock, is reunited with daughter Ella, six (Jane Barlow/PA)

The battalion then attended a reception in Ayr Town Hall where operational service medals were presented for their role in Iraq, which saw them provide training and mentoring for Kurdish security forces.

In South Sudan, 2 Scots provided security to a British Army Engineer Battlegroup assisting a UN mission in the country, while they also joined UN troops patrolling the green line in Cyprus.

Lieutenant Colonel DC Close, commanding officer of 2 Scots, said: “After six months of performing operations, 2 Scots are back to say thank-you to our communities, to our recruiting areas, to our families and friends who have supported us throughout the last year.

The Royal Regiment of Scotland homecoming parade
Pipers led the homecoming parade in Ayr (Jane Barlow/PA)

“It is a joy to be in amongst our Scottish community, who play a major role in supporting us and have done for many years.”

The soldiers also added knitted poppies to a remembrance banner in Ayr Town Hall to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.

South Ayrshire Provost Helen Moonie said: “I would like to thank the people of South Ayrshire for welcoming the soldiers home.

“I know how much it means to those that took part in the parade to see and hear people young and old cheering them on, it’s something that will stay with the men and women of 2 Scots for many years to come.

Troops return
Corporal Martin Buchanan, from Ayr, is greeted with a smile by his six-month-old son Alfie (Jane Barlow/PA)

“It was a particularly poignant moment to see serving soldiers attach crochet and knitted poppies to the First World War memorial banner in the town hall, and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed so far.”

Last month, soldiers from the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 Scots) held a series of homecoming parades in the north of Scotland following their return from Iraq.

Soldiers from 2 Scots will continue their homecoming events with a parade in Glasgow on Saturday.