Crowds turn out for remembrance events across Caithness
CROWDS assembled at war memorials in towns and villages across Caithness and north Sutherland to honour the fallen of two world wars and subsequent conflicts.
This year's remembrance services and parades came just over a century after the Treaty of Versailles which officially ended the state of war between Germany and the allied powers during World War I. On many memorials the date for the end of hostilities is inscribed as 1919.
North MSP Gail Ross was among those attending the Remembrance Sunday event in Wick.
"As always, I'm very humbled and proud to be able to lay a wreath on behalf of the Scottish Parliament," she said. "We've had another great turnout from the people of Wick and east Caithness who are forever remembering."
Spirits were raised before the event with a warming cup of lentil soup courtesy of Mackays Hotel. As the parade of veterans, representatives of the emergency services, youth organisations, dignitaries and schoolchildren lined up at the town's war memorial there was even a Labrador dog called Bria there to represent the animal casualties of war.
At the end of the wreath-laying by the various organisations, Bria was taken by Linda McDonald and Frances Purves up the steps of the memorial and a purple poppy wreath laid down in memory of all animals who died in wartime.
As Wick's town hall clock struck 11am, a rocket soared skyward to announce the two-minute silence. The only sound was from the engine of a vintage biplane which did a victory roll in tribute to the fallen.
At the close of proceedings, many went on to St Fergus Church to listen to a sermon by the Rev John Nugent who talked about the reasons many gave their lives during wartime.
"People often ask what was the point of it all," he said. "When you look around at the various memorials on the walls in here, understand that these people gave their lives in the name of freedom – a freedom many of us take for granted now."
Mr Nugent reflected on his memories of visiting the site of the infamous Nazi concentration camp Dachau and the humbling moment when he met an old rabbi who had survived the Holocaust. He remarked how the rabbi was not full of anger, despite losing many of his family, and said that if he had been filled with hate and bitterness "they would have won".
The minister added: "Please never forget the names on these memorials who fought for our freedom from this tyranny."
The colours of the Thurso branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, the pipes and drums of Thurso Pipe Band and the large turnout of uniformed organisations and members of the public added up to an impressive scene at the town's war memorial in the pale sunlight of Sunday morning.
Lord Thurso, the Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness, was among those laying wreaths at the town's war memorial, while the Rev David Malcolm led a Remembrance Sunday service afterwards in nearby St Peter's and St Andrew's Church.
At Halkirk's war memorial the service was taken by the Rev Ian McCree, locum minister for Halkirk and Watten Church of Scotland. The piper was Alan Plowman.
Wreaths and poppies were laid by the Royal British Legion, 1st Halkirk Girl Guides, Deputy Lieutenant Gillian Coghill, Halkirk detachment of the Army Cadets, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and Staff Sergeant Allan Nicholls, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and his son Adam.
More than 40 people turned out at Bettyhill war memorial for the Remembrance Sunday service conducted by the Rev Graham Dempster. Mr Dempster, who hails from Australia, was helping out in the Parish of Altnaharra and Farr while the local minister, the Rev Dr Beverly White Cushman, was doing the rounds of the three war memorials in the parish of Melness and Tongue which includes Skerray.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the community, the emergency services and army cadets. A lament was played on the pipes by Shona Munro.
Mr Dempster officiated later at the Strathnaver war memorial at Syre.
One hundred years since the first Remembrance Day was held, we once again pause to reflect and remember how fragile peace can be.
Jamie Stone, speaking in his capacity as Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson, issued a Remembrance Sunday statement saying: “Today we remember all those who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom. We also give our heartfelt thanks to those members of our armed forces, to veterans and their families, for all they do and the sacrifices they make to keep us safe.
“One hundred years since the first Remembrance Day was held, we once again pause to reflect and remember how fragile peace can be and how important it is that we all continue to stand alongside our allies to preserve it.”
Mr Stone, who has served as MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross since 2017, added: “I am also very privileged to be laying a wreath in my home town of Tain. Each time I go to the church where the memorial is, I read the names on the plaque and remember those who gave their lives. We must never forget their sacrifice and I wear my poppy with pride.”
