Remembrance Sunday event is a first for John O'Groats

John O'Groats played host to a Remembrance Sunday commemoration and poppy display for the first time.

Walter Mowat gave a short introduction before Lewis MacLeod piped a small group from the roundabout up to the John O'Groats signpost. Henry Gunn said a few words on behalf of the local branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland about the importance of remembrance.

Ray Dalgliesh (77), who lives in John O'Groats and served in the army, carried the wreath and laid it at the signpost. He was accompanied by Bob Smith (71), from Barrock, who served as a paratrooper. Flag-bearers were Pete Barker and Gordon Reynolds.

Andrew Mowat of John O'Groats Development Trust said: "The weather was decent and there was a good turnout of local people that came along to remember on the first time we have had a remembrance event and poppy display in John O’Groats."

The poppy display had been made and erected by Caithness Community Connections. The group also provided displays at other locations across the county using thousands of hand-crafted poppies.

The display was set off by a couple of Tommy soldier silhouettes bought from the Legion.

The poppies scattered on the ground represented the 39 names that are on the war memorial at Corsback, and a cross that was also on the ground represented the 12 names of the people from Stroma that are on the war memorial there.

Stroma's owner, William Simpson, laid a wreath at the memorial on the island.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.