The base exercised that right by parading the standards of 43 (Fighter) Squadron and 111 (Fighter) Squadron with the Freedom Scroll outside Holy Trinity Church in South Street.

The standard parties were escorted by two flights of Royal Air Force personnel, accompanied by the RAF Leuchars Pipe Band, with the ceremony taking the form of a parade and inspection outside the church followed by a march past and a march through the streets of St Andrews.

The Freedom of St Andrews Parade included a General Salute and a Tornado F3 flypast of four aircraft, followed by an inspection from the reviewing officer and Provost of Fife, Councillor Frances Melville, and the station commander, Air Commodore Clive Bairsto.

Air Commodore Bairsto, who is also Air Officer Scotland, said: ''RAF Leuchars is very proud of its close links with St Andrews and we are extremely grateful for the outstanding support that we receive from the local community.

''Exercising the right to march through St Andrews is one way for the Royal Air Force to thank the people of Fife for their continued support and to demonstrate that, in our 90th year, we are a service to be proud of. Additionally, it gives RAF Leuchars an appropriate opportunity to celebrate the 40th anniversary of receiving the Freedom of the Burgh.''

In 1968, to celebrate the granting of the Freedom, the Queen's Colour for the Royal Air Force, numbers 11 and 23 Squadron standards, were paraded in South Street.

Commanded by Wing Commander R.E. Bracher, the parade was formed from RAF Leuchars and Queen's Colour Squadron personnel and was supported by No 1 Regional Band and the RAF Leuchars Pipe Band.

A flypast of 16 Lightning jet fighters, four Chipmunk aircraft and two Whirlwind helicopters was coincident with the first General Salute which was taken by the then station commander, Group Captain J.M. Nicholls, and the Provost of St Andrews, T.T. Fordyce.