SENIOR royals and politicians have led tributes to the dead of the Battle of the Somme on the 100th anniversary of the bloodiest day in British military history.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was at a service in France to remember the lives lost. She joined Prime Minister David Cameron, French president Francois Hollande, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Earl and Countess of Strathearn, Prince Harry, and 10,000 guests gathered at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme that towers over the battlefield in France.

Speaking ahead of the service, Ms Sturgeon said: “Fifty-one Scottish battalions were involved, and the losses suffered by those units – and those from the other countries involved – were on an almost unimaginable scale.

“Barely a single community in Scotland was left untouched by the battle.

“Across Scotland communities are now remembering those who gave their lives, and a whole century on from the devastation and suffering of the Battle of the Somme, we should all reflect on the horrors of the Great War and give thanks that our continent now lives in peace.”

The British Army suffered almost 60,000 casualties on the first day alone and more than a million men would be killed or wounded on both sides over the course of the 141-day offensive.

Ceremonies across the United Kingdom had earlier honoured the hundreds of thousands of victims of the brutal offensive which started in northern France on July 1 1916.

A two-minute silence ended at 7.30am, the time when the British, Commonwealth and French forces went “over the top” a century ago.

Commuters at Glasgow’s Central Station fell silent for the nationwide two-minute silence while in Edinburgh, a two-minute silence was held at Scotland’s National War Memorial, with descendants of some of those who died at the Somme in attendance.

Commemorations began at Scotland’s National War Memorial on Thursday evening when hundreds of people joined military personnel, veterans and descendants at an overnight vigil.

Prayers were said before candles were taken inside the war memorial and placed on a casket containing the original Roll of Honour for the fallen of the Great War.

The candles were guarded overnight by representatives from units including the Wrens, the Royal Navy and several Scottish Army regiments, standing by the casket with their heads bowed.

A two-minute silence, which began with the firing of the One O’Clock Gun, ended at 7.30am when Lt Col Alan Hamilton sounded a whistle used by his great uncle, Robert Hamilton, in the trenches of the Somme.

Writing in the programme for Friday’s commemoration in France, Prince Charles wrote that “their sacrifice and suffering will never be forgotten”.

He added: “It is truly terrifying to imagine the destruction wrought across this landscape 100 years ago today. However, we now return to the battlefield in a spirit of reconciliation and respect.

“We honour the men who served from across Britain and Ireland, the Commonwealth and from France.

“We remember, too, the men from Germany who fought and fell in this most futile of conflicts. Their perseverance and courage when faced with such a monumental challenge are truly humbling.”

Prince Charles, Mr Cameron and Mr Hollande were among those who gave readings during the emotional Thiepval ceremony, alongside serving forces personnel and ex-England footballer Sol Campbell.

Game Of Thrones star Charles Dance, actress Joely Richardson and Harry Potter actor Jason Isaacs narrated events.

Other politicians present included Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, and Irish president Michael D Higgins.

The royals each wore a poppy and a cornflower brooch, called the “bleuet”, which has the same symbolism of remembrance in France as the red flower does in Britain.

British children laid wreaths at French graves and vice versa in the shared graveyard by the memorial.

Mr Hollande and Charles led the senior politicians and royals in laying wreaths at the Cross of Sacrifice, looking out onto the former battlefield.

In London, people lined Parliament Square where the roar of guns was followed by the two-minute reflection.

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery manned three sets of guns, drawn into place by horses, and fired every four seconds for 100 seconds.

Mr Cameron laid a wreath at the cross, with a note reading: “Yours was the most horrific slaughter of a generation. We stand in awe of your sacrifice, determined that your legacy of liberty will live on forever.”

Mr Corbyn laid a wreath at the Stone of Remembrance inside the memorial, with a note reading: “In memory of all who died; we resolve peace is the future.”