Highland church to pay tribute to dead soldiers

A Highland church will tonight pay a moving tribute to 23 local soldiers who perished in the First World War.

An Eve of Peace service has been organised by Cromdale and Advie Church, near Grantownon-Spey, that is to highlight the moving story of each man from the village who never returned from war.

Peter Scullion, a member of the local church, has thoroughly researched the history of the 23 soldiers over the past year.

He described the project as a “labour of love” adding: “It’s about the soldiers – I think it’s very important that we don’t forget.”

Rev Mary Duncanson will lead the service with representatives from the community, British Legion, Western Front Association, Royal Air Force and members of Grantown Grammar School to also attend.

Ms Duncanson said: “It’s very important we hear these stories and it will be a very reflective service.

“A candle will be lit for each man who died. The project is bringing the community together – it’s really inspired people’s interest in the village.

“There’s a real simplicity about the way the poppies have been done and the images of the soldiers that we have in the window.”

Cromdale war memorial is one of the few that was erected inside a Church, and was paid for by public subscription after the war.

The entrance of the church had been decorated with poppies knitted by the community, with an impressive window display of two bowed soldiers in the west window.

The service begins at 6pm.

“A candle will be lit for each man”

Finlay Grant and Katie Ramsay lay a wreath