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Edinburgh Reporter
13 hours ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Three new public artworks to be approved in principle
The council may approve three new pieces of public art for the city later this week following the establishment of a new Public Art Policy last spring. The policy will outline commissioning guidelines to support the management of existing and future monuments and street art. A Public Art Panel has been established setting up its own remit and code of conduct and outlining ways of progressing proposals to introduce new memorials in the city. Edinburgh based artist Cath Keay has been appointed to the panel which will meet quarterly to discuss up to three proposals each time. The newest piece of public art was the Whale sculpture unveiled in March this year at the Gasholder Park. 27/3/2024 A design of a humpback whale by Svetlana Kondakova Muir has been put in place in Gasholder 1 park Photo Alan Simpson Planning officers are seeking an in principle approval for these three memorials which will be fully funded from external sources this week's Culture and Communities Committee. Muriel Spark – East Princes Street Gardens (Southside) The project will be fully funded by established Edinburgh-based philanthropists, and has the support of Dame Muriel's companion of 30 years, sculptor, Penelope Jardine. It has gathered a significant groundswell of support a wide range of people. A robust governance structure has been established to oversee the development and administration of an open and fully transparent international competition for artists to submit outline plans and concepts for the Memorial. Commitment has already been given by the philanthropists to cover all costs of creation and installation as well as ongoing maintenance. A design competition will begin in September 2025 after an announcement at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. The Royal Regiment of Scotland – West Princes Street Gardens, North thoroughfare between the amphitheatre and the Ross Fountain. The statue is not a war memorial but a statue that resonates with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, those who are currently serving and those who have served, whether deceased or living. It is to be a place where serving and veterans, and their families and friends, can gather at a time of their choosing and reflect. The Rt Hon Lord Provost, as Armed Forces and Veteran Champion for the city, has offered his support in principle for this project. The commissioned sculpture, Kenny Hunter, is highly renowned and has a rich history of high-quality work across Scotland and further afield. Subject to approval by the City of Edinburgh Council The Royal Regiment of Scotland statue would be unveiled as part of the Regiment's 20th anniversary celebrations on Saturday 28 March 2026. Contaminated Blood Memorial – location to be confirmed dependent on final design The UK contaminated blood scandal is one of the worst treatment disasters in NHS history and a Contaminated Blood Memorial Fund was established in 2016 to raise funds for a lasting tribute to the hundreds of people in Scotland who lost their lives due to the contaminated blood tragedy. A working group was formed, to bring the community together and raise the funds needed for the creation of a permanent memorial. After the group's initial funding goal was reached in 2022, work began to identify a suitable location for the installation that would satisfy the key priorities expressed by the community. Sunshine on the Ross Fountain in Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens PHOTO Alan Simpson Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
28-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Veterans line Edinburgh's streets to commemorate Armed Forces Day
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh welcomed the return of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 28 as hundreds of veterans and their supporters lined the streets to mark the occasion. A parade led by the Highland and Lowland Bands of the Royal Regiment of Scotland gathered at Charlotte Square at 10am before it proceeded along their planned route which saw them march down George Street, passing a saluting dias at the Assembly Rooms. Finishing up at St Andrews Square, crowds were then treated to an address by the Lord Provost and military. Vintage military vehicles provided by the Scottish Military Vehicle Group led the parade and were on display throughout the day, as well as vintage kit and equipment that would have been used by the armed forces over the years. It was one of many Armed Forces Day celebrations held across the country in a show of support and appreciation for the armed forces. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scottish troops set for relocation with high-readiness posting in Cyprus
A Scottish Army battalion is gearing up to relocate to Cyprus for two years, where it will take on a new role as a high-readiness standby formation. The soldiers of 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (4 SCOTS) have been based at Bourlon Barracks at the Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire for the last 10 years. During that time they have been able to 'put down roots' – building families and friendships, and continuing 'proud' Scottish traditions including the Highland games. The new posting will see them relocate to the British Sovereign Base Area in Dhekelia, Cyprus, with the first flights scheduled for Saturday. Once there the battalion will stand ready to respond at short notice to emerging situations across the Middle East and North Africa. At the same time they will be tasked with supporting peacekeeping efforts and protecting key military infrastructure on the island. Captain Craig Taylor, who has been with the battalion throughout its time at Bourlon Barracks, said the move will be a 'big change' for the troops. 'We've had 10 solid years of stability here in Catterick. It's been a place where soldiers could put down roots, raise families, and grow professionally,' he said. 'Moving to Cyprus will be a big change for us, not just in terms of the climate. 'This is an exciting opportunity that soldiers have been training hard for. It's not a short-term tour or exercise – it's a full overseas posting which gives us the chance to experience new cultures and ways of life. 'Professionally, it sharpens our edge. We'll be held at high readiness to deploy anywhere in the region, and beyond which is of real strategic importance to the UK.' It is not the first overseas posting for the battalion, which has been involved in operations in the likes of Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo since its formation in 2006. Closer to home, 4 SCOTS also provided security support for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, provided emergency aid during the 2018 Saddleworth Moor wildfires, and took part in the national Covid-19 response. Despite being more than 2,000 miles from Scotland, the battalion intends to take its traditions with it, with events including regimental competitions and Burns Night celebrations remaining 'firm fixtures' in the calendar. Capt Taylor added: 'We're proud of everything we've achieved here. 'But now it's time to pack up, push forward, and embed our Scottish identity into a new location.'
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Rutherglen soldier's impressive transition from ceremony to combat readiness in a day
Pte Aaron Cameron of 5 SCOTS, The Royal Regiment of Scotland went from Edinburgh Castle to Lithuania. A soldier from Rutherglen has made an impressive transition from formal ceremonies to full operational readiness in Lithuania – in just over a day. Pte Aaron Cameron of 5 SCOTS, The Royal Regiment of Scotland was one of the soldiers who took part in the historic installation of the new Governor of Edinburgh Castle. He played a unique role in the ceremony, stationed above the castle's drawbridge to verify the identity of Lord Lyon, the Governor's representative, as part of the formal proceedings. And within 24 hours, he had swapped his ceremonial uniform for combat gear and prepared for his deployment to Lithuania for Exercise IRON WOLF. The soldiers from Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (5 SCOTS), gave F1 pitstop teams a run for their money after making the turbocharged transition from the formal pomp of the historic military ceremony at Edinburgh Castle to full operational readiness in such a short space of time. Pte Aaron was just one of the soldiers on ceremonial duties at 6.30pm on Wednesday for the installation of the new Governor of Edinburgh Castle. By Thursday evening, he was fully packed, prepped and ready to board military transport for Exercise IRON WOLF, a three-week deployment in Lithuania alongside their armed forces. The formal ceremony at Edinburgh Castle, a tradition dating back to the year 1106, saw 5 SCOTS joined by the Grenadier Guards and the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland to mark the installation of Major General Robert Bruce – a former Colonel of The Regiment – as Governor. Pte Cameron held a unique role in the installation, positioned above the drawbridge of the Castle to verify the identity of Lord Lyon, the governor's representative, as part of the formal proceedings. 'I've never seen the view from that part of the castle before,' he said. 'It was something different and interesting – I've not done anything like it.' As soon as the ceremony concluded at 7.30pm, the soldiers returned to barracks to begin the rapid shift from kilts to combat mode. 'Even though we do both of them, they are very different experiences and require a very different mindset,' said Pte Cameron. 'But you kind of just get back into the swing of it.' Originally scheduled to deploy at 3am on Thursday, the soldiers' departure was slightly delayed but despite the change, the transition was already in full swing. Exercise IRON WOLF will see 5 SCOTS working alongside a Lithuanian Battle Group in a validation training exercise designed to strengthen NATO cooperation and battlefield readiness. The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) is the senior line Infantry regiment of the British Army. Formed on March 28, 2006, and it was founded on the fighting heritage of historic Scottish Infantry Regiments representing over 390 years' continuous service to the crown. Their motto is 'Nemo Me Impune Lacessit' (No one provokes me with impunity) – shared with the Order of the Thistle, Scotland's highest order of chivalry. Since its formation, The Royal Regiment of Scotland has deployed to almost every theatre of operations the British Army has been involved in; conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Northern Ireland, supporting peace operations in Cyprus, West and North Africa, disaster relief in the Caribbean and giving support to UK Civil Authorities to deal with wild-fire, flooding and the Covid-19 pandemic. In recent years, SCOTS soldiers have had key roles in NATO Response Forces, partnered US forces in training in the US and Europe. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Glasgow Times
03-05-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Long-lost First World War memorial plaque returned to Glasgow
The plaque, which commemorates 78 fallen soldiers, was recently discovered in a museum storeroom after a member of the public was researching an ancestor lost in the war. Many of the soldiers on the plaque served with the antecedent regiments of The Royal Regiment of Scotland. Read more: New 'invaluable' service for people with secondary breast cancer A re-dedication ceremony at Maryhill Burgh Hall was held to commemorate the plaque's return, with members of the Royal Regiment of Scotland's 6th Battalion (6 SCOTS) in attendance, alongside a bugler from the 6 SCOTS Lowland Band and a piper. The event, which was open to the public, saw both serving military personnel and veterans lay wreaths and honour the memory of the fallen soldiers. It strived to serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by locals during the Great War, as well as a testament to the power of community ties. Read more: Grado cracks out McCoist impression at 'shuperb' Glasgow Airport bus launch Captain William Jason Craig, of 6 SCOTS, said: "It was a privilege for 6 SCOTS to be present and take part in the re-dedication of this important memorial. "The men named on the plaque gave their lives in service of their country. "It is only right that their memory continues to be honoured by the communities they came from.'
