Wreath-laying ceremonies at Wick and Skitten ahead of Remembrance Sunday
Wreath-laying ceremonies took place in and around Wick in wet weather on Saturday, ahead of Remembrance Sunday this weekend.
The events were organised by the Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, starting at the garden of remembrance beside Wick Town Hall.
Caithness Vice-Lieutenant Willie Watt was joined in the official party by the Legion branch president and chairman, Murray Lamont and Alex Paterson respectively; Councillor Jan McEwan, the provost of Wick; the Rev John Nugent; and Robbie Mackintosh, the parade commander.
Pipers were Gordon Tait and Alasdair Miller, from Wick RBLS Pipe Band, and the standard-bearers were Kevin Stewart and Kevin McDonald from the Legion branch.
A short ceremony was then held at the Soldiers’ Tower, beside the North Head footpath overlooking Wick Bay. The tower was constructed in 1909 to honour soldiers from Caithness who had served their country in conflicts including Trafalgar, Waterloo and the Peninsular and Boer wars.
In a break from tradition, the wreath was laid on a different side of the tower, to give some protection from the stormy weather.
The final commemoration took place at the Skitten airfield memorial, honouring the 41 men who lost their lives in Operation Freshman 83 years ago this month.
A rededication ceremony took place at Skitten in April this year after the Wick, Canisbay and Latheron branch of the Legion had arranged for the repair and refurbishment of the monument.
This year’s Remembrance Sunday is November 9.