Photo memories mark Scone’s Robert Douglas Day

Members of the Scone community intending to celebrate a second Robert Douglas Community Day had to remember it in pictures recently.

A big bash last year marked 160 years since his birth but COVID-19 restrictions meant the 2020 event had to be reluctantly postponed.

Instead, local resident and the person behind the RDM Institute Facebook page, Karen Donaldson, circulated photo memories of last year online.

Robert Douglas of Scone lived from 1859-1929, dying with a vast self-made fortune on May 28, 1929 in Rochester, New York. His will left a substantial trust fund, the Douglas Foundation, which brought much benefit to his old home in Scotland.

Scone residents will now be planning to make next year’s event bigger and better than ever.

“It’s hard to believe that this time last year we were setting up the Robert Douglas Community Day. Little did we know what a great day it was going to be,” wrote Karen.

“The young and the not so young came together to celebrate the legacy Robert Douglas left to our community.

“Memories were jogged as the photographs were viewed and friendships were rekindled over the tea and cakes.”

Karen added:“Next year we will be back on track with our Robert Douglas

Community day and we are determined, that if possible, it will be bigger and better than last year. ”

Karen has also put out a call to locals to help build up a bank of World War II and VE Day memories.

She said: “VE75 was to be commemorated on the weekend of Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10 2020 but the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in all public events being cancelled for the foreseeable future. It is hoped that an event for VE75 can take place later in the year.

“This is where the people of Scone can help. Now that we are all probably going to have more time on our hands, write down your, or your family or friends memories of the war years 1939-1945. Were you or your family evacuated? If so, where? What was it like for you? Where were you when war broke out? And when it ended?

“It doesn’t matter where in the world you were, we want to hear how it was for you. If you are able to type up your memories good and well, if not write them down. Children, speak to your family members. Yes, it may need to be on the phone or write to them and ask them to send you their memories.

“Please send them to us at contact@ rdminstitute.co.uk or post them into the letter box at RDM Institute and I will collate them.”