Ross-shire remembers 75th anniversary of VJ Day at poignant ceremonies in Dingwall, Gairloch and Ullapool attended by Lord Lieutenant
COMMUNITIES across Ross-shire marked the 75th anniversary of VJ day at a series of poignant ceremonies.
A wreath-laying event took place at Dingwall War Memorial to mark the anniversary of the Japanese surrender which brought World War II to a close.
Iain Macleod and Peter Angus laid wreaths on behalf of The Royal British Legion Scotland (Dingwall Branch) and The Seaforth Highlanders Regimental Association (Ross-Shire Branch) respectively.
On a beautiful day in Ullapool, a simple wreath-laying ceremony was held at the War Memorial to mark VJ Day, the 80th anniversary of St Valery and the Burma Star.
Several men from the village were captured in St Valery and were imprisoned in camps for years.
The Burma Star wreath is a tribute to a surviving Burma Star holder in Ullapool.
Wreaths were laid by Ross-shire Lord Lieutenant Joanie Whiteford. Iain Boyd laid the VJ wreath, Robbie McKenzie laid one for St Valery and my Lord Lieutenants Cadet, Sgt Jack Davidson, laid the Burma Star wreath.
Piper Hector Couper played beautifully.
In Gairloch, Pipe Major Fraser Wotherspoon and Drum Major Andrew Smith of Gairloch and District Pipe Band represented the group at the memorial service.
The group later posted: "The band isn't able to play as a group at the moment, so it was a privilege to still be able to support the local community in this way."
At Gairloch War Memorial, a ceremony was led by Stuart Smith, the Church of Scotland minister.
Mrs Whiteford, who also attended that event, said: "Everything was resplendent in the west coast sunshine.My sincere thanks to everyone who made these important acts of remembrance happen."
