How the strath remembered in 2022
A new generation of mourners paid its respects across the strath at this year’s Remembrance Sunday services.
At Kincraig, for example, in welcoming a large turnout to the war memorial on Sunday co-ordinator Ian Ash announced: “This year we are pleased to welcome the younger members of our community, as we are joined by Alvie primary and Kingussie High School – every pupil at the primary school has painted a poppy onto a stone which has been placed around the memorial.”
The stones brought poignant and fresh colour to the occasion, where Mr Ash noted: “This is more than remembering the Fallen of two World Wars.
We can look further back, or to more recent conflicts where members of the Armed Forces have been killed or left with life-changing injuries.”
As the community studied the names on the recently-renovated war memorial, Mr Ash was able to tell some of the stories behind the simple lettering, such as Lance Corporal John Ross of the Lovat Scouts.
He told onlookers: “Born at Blackmill, he had by 18 seized the initiative and started a business erecting and maintaining fire beacons on various highpoints to warn the local populations of invasion or an approaching enemy, should other lines of communication be broken.”
The Lovat Scout had been posted to the Faroe Islands to form a garrison protecting the islands from attack.
“As the war had progressed plans were being made for the Allied invasion of Norway and the Lovat Scouts were selected as winter mountain troops specialising in skiing, climbing and snow survival.
“They spent time in the Cairngorms, Wales and Canada.
“Plans change and July 1944 saw them join the Eighth Army in Italy around the city of Arezzo in Tuscany. On September 18 John was killed in action. He was 23. He is buried in the Commonwealth War Grave in Arezzo.”
Tragically, so many of the names on the Kincraig memorial were of men buried far away from their Badenoch home.
Mr Ash thanked all those who had helped with the remembrance: “Guidance, readings, piping, repairs to the memorial, wedding the surrounding area, blacksmithing a new rail for the wreaths and painting the stones. Thank you!”
Pupils and cadets were also to the fore in Grantown, Aviemore and Advie at the time-honoured recognition of so many local sacrifices.
From Friday to Sunday, war memorials throughout Badenoch and Strathspey became respectful focal points again.
Wreaths were laid at Carrbridge on Sunday with the whole community represented by an assembly of some 40 mourners.
At Advie a moving service in the sunshine was led by Rev Mary Donaldson.
The piper was Lyall Kinnaird and wreathes were laid by local cadet Thea Stronach, local Highland councillor John Bruce and community representatives Neil Munro and Carl Stewart. A well supported reception was held after the service in Advie Hall.
There was a big turnout at Grantown for the lowering of the colours by the Royal British Legion Scotland Strathspey Branch.
Chairman Iain Norris marked the service with a tribute for the late Queen Elizabeth at the memorial, with Councillor John Bruce laying the authority’s own wreath.
At Laggan, community council chair Colin Morgan confirmed some 30 villagers and representatives gathered to commemorate and remember those from the community who had served and fallen in wars around the globe in the past century.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Community, Badenoch Shinty Memories and Highland Council.
Mr Morgan said: “As ever, this was a poignant day, this year with the sunshine gently illuminating the Laggan landscape.”
