Edinburgh opens Garden of Remembrance

November 1, 2017

Frank Ross, the Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, led a special group of wreath-layers at the annual Opening Ceremony of the Edinburgh Garden of Remembrance, at the Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.

Members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, attended the event, organised by Legion Scotland, to remember those who have fallen in conflicts, with more than 30 wreaths laid at a service which was also well attended by members of the public.

Among those that joined Edinburgh’s Lord Provost were representatives from organisations such as the Scottish Government, The Royal Scots, The Scots Guards, Police Scotland and many others. Erin Ritchie, 17, from Port Seton and a sixth-year pupil at Preston Lodge High School, was the piper at the event.

Erin, who started piping at the age of nine and has played at many prestigious events such as the 35th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict and the tenth anniversary of the end of operations in Northern Ireland, said: “It is an honour for me to play at such a poignant event as we remember those who gave their all so that we could grow up with the freedoms we so often take for granted.”

Commenting on the service, Legion Scotland National Chairman Charlie Brown said: “This was a wonderful occasion which was very well attended by representatives from all three Services. It was heart-warming to see so many people connected to the Armed Forces community in Scotland as well as a fantastic turnout from the public as well.”

Following the opening of the Garden of Remembrance, guests and members of the public alike then moved into Poppyscotland’s Field of Remembrance. A sea of stunning memorials has been created from thousands of Remembrance symbols that have been returned to the charity from supporters across the globe.