Moray and Aberdeenshire set to 'Light Up Red' for Scottish Poppy Appeal
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Sites across the North East are set to soon turn red to raise awareness of the Scottish Poppy Appeal.
As part of the ‘Light Up Red’ campaign both the Wolf of Badenoch sculpture and the Plainstones Fountain in Elgin will be lit up during the evenings from Friday until Armistice Day a week on Wednesday.
Many other venues in the North East are also due to take part in the campaign, including Rhynie, Turriff and Burghead war memorials, Covesea Lighthouse, The Buckie Community Shop, Hall Church in Cullen, Banff Parish Church and Meldrum House.
Brian Cameron from Elchies Estates near Archiestown explained why he decided to get involved.
He said: "I used to spend a lot of time in Belgian where I saw the scale of the war graves.
"Before then I never had a full idea of the monumental scale of the 1914-1918 conflict.
"It's haunting when you begin to realise what people had to go through.
"It suddenly makes it very clear why there are war memorials in virtually every little community across Scotland."
Shona Morrison, Moray Councillor's Convenor, stated that with Remembrance events limited this year, the campaign will allow the local authority an opportunity to back the appeal.
Cllr Morrison (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, SNP) said: "Sadly, the pandemic is having an impact on Poppyscotland’s street collections, which are normally so well supported.
"By joining the Light Up Red campaign, our gesture marks Moray’s commitment to raising awareness of the Scottish Poppy Appeal.
"I’d encourage residents to support the appeal if they can, and to remember that in doing so they’re helping to fund life-saving support for the armed forces community in Scotland.
"It could be something as simple as buying a poppy, or creating poppies to display in your window – all gestures are appreciated.
"With Moray having a significant military presence and a large veteran community, it feels particularly poignant for us to show our commitment."
An interactive map of all participating venues is available on Poppyscotland’s website.
