Armed Forces Week celebrations in the Highlands
Events are being held in Dingwall, Golspie, Grantown, Nairn, Thurso and Wick to mark Armed Forces Week.
At Nairn, the celebrations start with the flag raising ceremony at the Court House on Monday, 20 June at 10.30 am. In attendance will be the Lord Lieutenant, the Provost of Nairn, Nairn Ward Members, Royal British Legion, Seaforth Club, serving members and veterans from the Armed Forces and three pipers.
At noon, Royal Naval representatives will make a presentation on their contribution to the Armed Services at the Royal British Legion.
On Saturday, 25 June, a parade has been planned at 1.30p.m. led by the Nairn & District Pipe Band marching from Millbank Street, Millbank Crescent, past the War Memorial, down Cawdor Street and past the Royal British Legion where the salute will be taken by the Lord Lieutenant. At 5.00p.m., the Royal British Legion will hold a Sunset Ceremony with the Nairn & District Pipe Band playing a selection of tunes followed by the lowering of the Armed Forces Day Flag. The Flag will be presented to this year’s senior veteran at the conclusion by last year’s recipient.
Armed Forces Week ends on Monday, 27 June with the lowering of the flag at the Court House at 10.30a.m.
At Grantown, a ceremony will be held on Monday 20 June in the Square, Grantown, to mark Armed Forces Day. This will take place at the Town House at 11 am when the special Armed Forces Flag will be blessed by Rev Morris Smith and then raised by the Depute Lord Lieutenant Fergus Laing. A road closure will take place in the Square during the event.
At The Highland Council offices at Drummuie, Golspie, a flag raising and presentations ceremony is being held on Monday 20th June. The outdoor ceremony will commence at 11am, last approximately 1 hour, and will involve the presentation of the Elizabeth Cross and Veterans Medals. Veterans, Land Army Girls and Heritage Societies will also be presented with a historical pack containing material relating to the previous Drummuie Flag Raising ceremonies in 2009 and 2010.
The events raise public awareness of the contribution made by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and gives the nation an opportunity to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families and from veterans to cadets.
At Wick, a flag raising ceremony is taking place on Thursday 23 June at 11am in front of Caithness General Hospital. The Armed Forces flag will be unfurled by the Lord Lieutenant Ann Dunnett.
Following the ceremony, The Highland Council will provide refreshments in the Assembly Rooms.
At Thurso, a Drumhead Service is being held on Saturday 25 June, starting at 3pm in the Square outside the Old Town Hall and will be followed by a parade from there to the RBLS Clubrooms at the Riverside where a flag lowering ceremony will take place at 4pm.
At Dingwall, a ceremony will take place on Monday 20 June at 10.00 am at the Council Buildings, Dingwall and will be officiated by Rev Russel Smith, British Legion Chaplain.