PICTURES: Sutherland marks Armed Forces Day
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Armed Forces Day 2023 was marked in Sutherland yesterday.
Service personnel, veterans, cadets and their families and friends attended a ceremony at Golspie Memorial Garden.
The event started at 11am with a welcome by Major Alasdair Miller, the president of the Golspie branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland.
John Morgan of the Assynt branch of Royal British Legion Scotland raised the Armed Forces Day flag after which Sutherland Schools Pipe Band and Sutherland Caledonian Pipe Band played.
Sutherland Lord-Lieutenant Patrick Marriott gave a short address.
Jonathan Brett Young told the story of the Dambusters Raid - it is the 80th anniversary of the daring raid which took place on May 16-17, 1943.
Sutherland has a strong connection with the raid through the Maudslay family who owned the West Shinness Estate at the time. Squadron leader Henry Maudslay DFC was killed on the raid.
Major General Marriott presented veterans' medals to Jane Mackay (Army, latterly Adjutant General's Corps) and Archie Macdonald (Royal Air Force). The citations were read by Vice Lord-Lieutenant Kim Tulloch.
A Deputy Lieutenants's commission was presented to Neil MacDonald of Scourie.
Memorabilia from the Maudslay family was on display at the Stag’s Head Hotel, Golspie, where refreshments were available.
A spokeswoman for the lieutenancy team said: "Grateful thanks to RBLS Golspie and to Kenny McAulay in particular for the arrangements.
"Thanks also to Sutherland Schools Pipe Band and Sutherland Caledonian Pipe Band for playing, the team at the Stag’s Head Hotel Golspie for their kind hospitality and Kerry Hawthorne from Nanny’s Tea Rooms for the beautiful cakes.
"Thanks also to Friends of Sutherland Veterans and the Co-op for funding to assist with the provision of refreshments."
It is hoped that future Armed Forces Days can be hosted at different venues throughout Sutherland from time to time.
Any Sutherland branches of Legion Scotland, the Royal Naval Association or any veterans’ groups interested in hosting the event in future, is asked to email the lieutenancy team at: sutherlandlieutenancy@gmail.com
