City prepares to remember fallen
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A CENTURY after the guns fell silent on the Western Front, Inverness is being turned into a sea of red in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The brutal conflict, which had dragged on for over four years, would go on to leave a lasting legacy on Britain’s psyche, and in few places would the impact be more keenly felt than in the Highlands.
In 1914 young men from across the north had signed up in their droves, desperate to do their bit in defence of their nation.
After WWI, which claimed the lives of many of those brave young men, the poppy, which continued to grow on the battlefields despite the surrounding devastation, was adopted as a symbol of hope, with embroidered flowers being sold to assist returning veterans with employment and housing.
As Britain prepares to mark the poignant centenary of the war to end all wars, the Poppy Appeal continues to support current and former service personnel, both in the Highlands and around the country.
The 2018 appeal was officially launched at Inverness Town House by Poppyscotland.
The charity has a notable presence in the north of Scotland, not just during the Remembrance period but throughout the rest of the year, continuing to help the Armed Forces community through the work of the MacRobert Centre in Inverness.
The facility, which was opened in 2013, has already made a significant difference to the lives of veterans, helping over 3000 in its first five years according to an impact report released to coincide with Remembrance.
Nina Semple, the centre’s manager, believes the support on offer not just to current and former service personnel but their families and carers too, is crucial in ensuring that the needs of those returning to civilian life are met.
"You can’t predict people’s needs and you can’t predict when they will arise, so to have that presence in the centre of Inverness where we can be there for people immediately is pretty important," she said.
"The support has been there for a long period of time and you can see that through things like the Poppy Appeal. It’s great to feel like we are giving something back to this area."
That sentiment was echoed by Poppyscotland’s head of fundraising Gordon Michie.
The grandson of a WWI veteran, he believes that keeping the true spirit of Remembrance alive is paramount – and ensuring that young people are in a position to pass the message on is key to his aim.
"We don’t have anyone from the WWI generation left but there are many people who were directly affected," he said.
"My grandfather fought at the Somme and Passchendaele, and my mother never really talked about him. It’s only this year that she has opened up.
"There was never any conversation because he never really talked about it. It must have been awful and I don’t think we can even imagine it.
"Schools and other youth groups are coming together to learn about that sacrifice and that’s very important. It’s very heartening to see young people involved in this appeal because it’s so important that we never forget.
"The poppy is a symbol of hope and a symbol of peace, and if we can put across a message that we can live in peace, maybe the problems we have seen over the last 100 years will disappear."
Poppyscotland is at the heart of fundraising and organising events across the country to mark the centenary of the Armistice.
The Poppy Launch at the Town House was just one of several ways the occasion is being marked in the Highlands.
Landmarks in Inverness, including the cathedral and castle, are being lit up red in recognition of the sacrifice paid by those who fought.
Other organisations are also involved with the effort to mark the poignant occasion, including Legion Scotland.
The Inverness branch chairman Joe Davidson believes the support for the cause in the Highlands makes a difference.
"I certainly feel that particularly over the last four years, the public has become much more aware of what’s happening," he said.
"Every commemoration that comes up is well-supported.
"It’s great to have the backing of the Provost and the council too. It really makes us feel appreciated about what we are doing."
Campaigners have now installed a permanent reminder of those who gave their lives.
Thought up by local veteran Ian Burnett, a memorial stone has been unveiled at the site of the annual Garden of Remembrance.
"I have been involved in the Garden of Remembrance for many years now, but I always felt it was wrong that once the Remembrance period passed each year there was nothing left to show where the garden once stood," he said.
"Addressing this has been a personal passion of mine.
"This memorial is for those who made the ultimate sacrifice throughout the years."
