Balloons were released from Princes Street Gardens

Saturday's service was organised by the Scottish Executive and the Scotland Office.

There was to be a reading of the Statement of Commitment from the Stockholm Declaration which, among other things, recognises every person's right to freedom and dignity.

The ceremony was also to hear actors read extracts from the work of Jack Hartill, a liberator of the Bergen-Belsen camp.

First Minister Henry McLeish said the event was important to help create a more understanding and culturally diverse society.

He said: "The Holocaust was unique, but the dangers of racism and prejudice are equally present today.

Future hope

"To remember the Holocaust is also to reinforce the need for strong values of equality and social inclusion in our own society."

The ceremony will pave the way for other Scottish cities to hold the event in future years, he added.

Edinburgh Lord Provost Eric Milligan said he hoped it would not only be a fitting tribute to all those who died, but also one that offers hope for the future.

Rev Levy: Survived

Rabbi Ernest Levy, a survivor from two Nazi concentration camps, on Friday urged young people not to forget the cruelty that many millions of people suffered.

Rev Levy had just been starting a career as an engineer when was transported from his Budapest home at the age of 19 to the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp.

Rev Levy said he wanted young people to recognise the level of cruelty inflicted upon the Jewish community and others who incurred the wrath of the Nazis.

He was to give personal testimony at the Usher Hall service.

Edinburgh has been hosting an Anne Frank exhibition ahead of Saturday's events.

Anne kept a diary of her family's ordeal at the hands of the Nazis and was one of the millions who did not survive.

It was revealed that racist slogans were daubed on a wall opposite the city's arts centre where the Anne Frank exhibition is taking place.