In tribute to those who braved their lives during the First World War, Edinburgh’s iconic Scott Monument is to be lit up in poppy red tonight (Friday 7 November 2014).
The famous monument, which is a tribute to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, sits in the heart of the City between the Old and New Towns and is the largest monument to a writer in the world. A soft red glow will be cast around the monument at night time by the City of Edinburgh Council until Remembrance Day (Tuesday 11 November) as a backdrop to Legion Scotland and the Poppy Appeal’s joint Garden of Remembrance.
Remembrance events will be held throughout Edinburgh to mark 100 years since the First World War.
Edinburgh’s libraries will be opening their doors to war poetry readings, Rolls of Honour naming the war dead will be on display at the City Chambers and the Museum of Edinburgh, and the Council’s Usher Hall will be remembering the events of the war through song with a special Festival of Remembrance concert.
A new art exhibition will also open its doors this weekend at the City Art Centre to showcase works produced during the war and in its immediate aftermath, alongside images created years later through the lens of hindsight and remembrance. Picturing Conflict – Art of the First World War will include a thought-provoking selection of Scottish paintings, drawings, prints and photographs.
The Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Rt Hon Donald Wilson, said:
“On Remembrance Sunday, people the length and breadth of Scotland will pay tribute to all those who have fought and died in order to keep this country safe. In the capital, the Remembrance Sunday Parade is a moving mark of remembrance. It allows residents and visitors to take a moment of quiet reflection, lest we forget, on the events that took place 100 years ago.
“I urge local people from the city to join if they can, and show Edinburgh’s united gratitude and appreciation for the enormous sacrifices that have been made – and continue to be made every day on our behalf – by courageous men and women.”
Events taking place in Edinburgh
Saturday 8 November
- The opening weekend of Picturing Conflict, an exhibition of Scottish art at the City Art Centre
- The annual Festival of Remembrance concert will take place at the Usher Hall
Sunday 9 November, Remembrance Sunday
- Council lighting of the Scott monument in poppy red until Tuesday 11 November
- Scotland’s national Remembrance Day Parade by Legion Scotland. Starting at 10am, the parade will head eastward to the Stone of Remembrance at the City Chambers where they will be met by the Lord Provost for the Act of Remembrance and a wreath laying ceremony. This will be followed by a service in St Giles Cathedral
- Community Remembrance Day Parade in Kirkliston, 12pm in The Square in Kirkliston
- Community Remembrance Day Service in Corstorphine, 10am-12pm at the Kirk Loan
- Community Wreath laying at the War Memorial in Duddingston, 12-12:10pm
- Heart of Midlothian Annual Remembrance Day Service, Salvation Army Band Parade 10:30am – 10:40am. The band parade route will be from Caledonian Place – Dalry Road – Haymarket Junction.
Monday 10 November
- An exhibition ‘Silhouettes in the Fog and guiding Lights:The foundation of Scottish War Blinded’ will be held in the Central Library Mezzanine (until Saturday 15 November)
- Poetry from the Trenches will also take place in Colinton Library
Tuesday 11 November
- WW1 Rolls of Honour on display at the Museum of Edinburgh, and the City Chambers
Wednesday 12 November
- Poetry from the Trenches at Currie Library
