Roses are held high in memory of loved ones

SCORES of red roses were held aloft before being thrown into the River Ness in memory of loved ones struck down by addiction.

The poignant gesture marked the start of the first Recovery Walk Scotland march to be held in Inverness.

More than 2000 survivors, friends and families congregated beside the Ness River before marching through the city on Saturday.

While it was an emotional day of remembrance for many, the event was also described as a joyous celebration of recovery by organisers.

Co-organiser Jardine Simpson, chief executive of the Scottish Recovery Consortium, said: “Before setting off on the walk, we had a moving roses ceremony to remember those lost to drugs, alcohol and suicide deaths.

“The walk itself was a visible statement that people recover and become thriving, contributing members of communities. People in recovery want to take this message to all of Scotland.”

Members of local and visiting alcohol and drug awareness groups carried banners. Scotland’s drugs death rate is currently the worst in Europe.

See today's Inverness Courier for more pictures.

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