Scotland's moments of remembrance to mark VE Day
Scotland is paying tribute to World War Two heroes with events around the country to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.At dawn, Scotland's National Piper played a lament to the fallen on Portobello Beach in Edinburgh.A service of thanksgiving is taking place at Glasgow Cathedral, with guests from the military, veterans' groups, emergency services and religious organisations.Other events include a street party for veterans at the Erskine nursing home and a commemoration by the Gordon Highlanders in Aberdeen.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will attended the Glasgow ceremony, while Scottish Secretary Ian Murray is visiting Lady Haig's Poppy Factory in Edinburgh.Scotland's political party leaders paid tribute ahead of First Ministers' Questions at Holyrood.First Minister John Swinney said: "The lessons and the suffering of the Second World War must be remembered today."He offered a personal tribute to his own uncle, Thomas Hunter, who was killed in the conflict in Italy, 35 days before the end of World War Two.
Elsewhere, a memorial is being held in Lerwick, Shetland, after six historic boats arrived there from Norway on Tuesday. They sailed in commemoration of the Shetland Bus that operated between Scotland and Norway during the war.In World War Two, the small fishing boats delivered valuable cargo to Europe and carried refugees fleeing the occupation on the return journeys.Edinburgh Castle was among the UK buildings that have been illuminated red in the run-up to the anniversary.The Scottish government's Victoria Quay and St Andrew's House buildings in Edinburgh have also been lit up as part of the campaign.The events mark 80 years to the day since the formal acceptance by the Allies of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945.It brought World War Two in Europe to an end after more than five years of fighting.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Edinburgh Reporter
2 hours ago
- Edinburgh Reporter
Demands for UK Government to do more for housing in Scotland
First Minister John Swinney has urged the UK Government to do more to support Scotland's housing sector in the upcoming Spending Review. The First Minister will set out his vision for the future of Scotland's housing sector in a speech at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations in Glasgow later. Ahead of his speech the First Minister said: 'Scotland faces a housing crisis which is why we are investing £768 million in affordable housing in 2025-26, the majority of which will be for social rent. This includes up to £40 million for acquisitions, to help reduce the number of homeless households, especially with children, in temporary accommodation. 'We are keenly aware of the benefits of providing multi-year spending plans to our partners and want to prove this stability across the public sector. We continue to call on the UK Government to provide multi-year funding for housing to give developers and third sector organisations long-term certainty. 'The UK Government must also commit to unfreezing Local Housing Allowance rates. These rates set the amount that private renters receive to help with rent. Increasing these rates can be a key lever that can help protect tenants. Repegging these rates to the 30th percentile of local rents would mean greater security for many households across Scotland.' Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer met with First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney in July 2024 at Bute House. Photo courtesy of The Scottish Government Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Parents to be given right to request new Gaelic schools
The plans have been confirmed by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes MSP, who is also Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, during a visit to Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis (Inverness Gaelic Primary School). The announcement coincides with the 40th anniversary of Gaelic medium education in Scotland. The proposed Scottish Languages Bill is expected to be considered by MSPs on Tuesday 17 June. As well as establishing the right of parents to request new Gaelic-medium schools, the Bill will allow for the creation of 'areas of linguistic significance in Gaelic communities which the government says will enable ministers to 'better target policies to support the language's growth.' The new law will also establish both Gaelic and Scots as official languages, introduce specific education standards for Gaelic and Scots, and enable parents across Scotland to apply for Gaelic-medium nursery provision for their children. Recent census statistics revealed that more than 130,000 people in Scotland have some Gaelic skills, a significant increase from the levels found in 2011. The number who understand or use Scots had also risen considerably. A world-first assessment and accreditation model for Gaelic learners is also due to be introduced in Scotland following development by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture. A new strategy to support the development of Gaelic outside of school classrooms is also in development. However, there is a significant drop-off in uptake of Gaelic between primary and secondary school levels, and experts have previously warned that more must be done to promote the 'value of Gaelic' to parents and young people. READ MORE During the visit to Inverness, Ms Forbes said: 'This Bill aims to build a strong foundation to support Gaelic's continued growth following an encouraging increase in Gaelic speakers and learners across Scotland. It would boost Gaelic education provision throughout Scotland and better establish Gaelic and Scots as national languages. 'Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money. Gaelic medium schools frequently demonstrate above average performance with some local authorities showing better grades across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than English medium schools. 'To support the growth of Scotland's indigenous languages, we are also providing an additional £5.7 million to promote Scots and Gaelic this year.' The Bill and its provision are also supported by Scotland's Makar (national poet) Dr Peter Mackay, who writes in both English and Gaelic: 'It's fantastic to have seen the growth of Gaelic medium education over the last 40 years: it's something we should be very proud of. 'It's vital that there's ongoing support to maintain and develop Gaelic as a community language in the Highlands and Islands and to give people all over the country every chance to learn and speak it – and also to encourage Scots speakers and communities across Scotland."
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Watch: Donald Trump ignores Britain as he claims the US ‘won World War II'
President Donald Trump ignored Britain's contribution as he claimed the United States 'won World War II.' While responding to a question about his military parade on Flag Day, he began recounting conversations he'd had with various world leaders celebrating VE Day. He gave some credit to Russia, claiming they lost '51 million people ' - most estimates put it at between 22 and 25 million people - and repeated his false claim that Adolf Hitler gave a speech at he Eiffel Tower while minimising the French effort. But there was no mention of Britain's contribution - despite Trump having a bust of wartime leader Winston Churchill in the Oval Office.
