Povlsens say thank you to Scots after terror attack
● Couple’s open letter comes weeks after death of three of their children
The Povlsen family has written an op en letter thanking the people of Scotland for the words of comfort that “fortified” them after the devastating loss of three of their four children in the Sri Lanka terror attacks.
Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife Anne, who are Scotland’s largest landowners, said the many messages they have received in the aftermath of the tragedy had “touched our hearts.”
In the letter, placed as a full page advert in today’s edition of The Scotsman, the couple extended their love and “deepest appreciation” to wellwishers.
It comes less than a month after the Danish billionaire and his family were caught up in a series of bomb attacks on hotels and churches in the island nation which left 253 people dead.
They included the Povlsens’s children, Alfred, five, Agnes, 12, and Alma, 15. Their youngest daughter, Astrid, ten, survived. The family were on holiday at the Shangri La hotel in Colombo, one of those targeted during the Easter Sunday attacks.
The open letter features the initials of the Christian names of the Povlsen children, along with an image of three feathers falling from the sky.
The message, which begins with a “thank you,” states: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude for the condolences, sympathy and many warming thoughts we have received following the tragic loss of our three beloved and beautiful children; Alfred, Agnes, and Alma.
“T h e S c o t t i s h H i g h l a n d s has granted us abiding, special memories for our family. It is for this reason that the many words of comfort have for tified us and touched our hearts.”
It adds: “Our thoughts and condolences go to the many other innocent families who also lost their loved ones in the tragedy in Sri Lanka.
“In the immense sadness, we are genuinely grateful that we remain united with our daughter, Astrid.
“The loving memor y of our three children, their wonderful spirit and souls will always be in our hearts.”
The Povlsens own more than 220,000 acres across the Highlands, and have committed to rewilding vast swathes of land through their Wildland venture.
“The Highlands has special memories for our family. It is for this reason that the many words of comfort have touched our hearts”
mmclaughlin@scotsman.com