Memorial to Scone’s First World War fallen to be unveiled

Trail featuring audio stories and newlyplanted oak trees in memory of soldiers

A memorial walk honouring the men of Scone who lost their lives during the First World War will be unveiled next month.

The trail, which will run around Scone and its outskirts, will act as a memorial to 71 soldiers who served and made the ultimate sacrifice during the conflict.

It takes in the grounds of Scone Palace, where 11 of the men worked as foresters and gardeners and where the walk will be unveiled on March 7.

The attraction will be accompanied by audio stories that will tell the tales of the men.

Oak trees will also be planted in their honour, along with a plaque.

The community project, which has had the long-time backing of Lord and Lady Mansfield of Scone Palace, was organised by the charity Scone Remembers SCIO.

With funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Scone Remembers has also published a book telling the stories of Scone’s fallen 71 men.

Dr Peter Olsen, chairman of Scone Remembers, said: “We’ve been working hard on this project for several years now, so it’s exciting to see the memorial walk finally happening and to see these men honoured during the centenary year of the Great War.”

Lady Mansfield added: “It has been heart-warming to see this project come to life and grow, and Scone Palace is delighted to be a part of it.

“We look forward to the Scone Remembers Memorial Walk being part of our landscape here at Scone Palace and we know it will add to the Palace’s stories and history already enjoyed by our visitors.”

The Scone Remembers website contains an exhaustively researched account of the local men who are remembered through the memorial.

Each has their own entry which details their lives and deaths, records the regiments they served in and features an audio account of their story read by young people, others in the community, military associates and the men’s own descendants.

It has been heartwarming to see this project come to life and grow, and Scone Palace is delighted to be a part of it. LADY MANSFIELD