Perthshire North MSP, Mr John Swinney, has praised a local effort to commemorate those that died during World War I. 

Scone Remembers, the brainchild of Dr Peter William Stenbro-Olsen and Mrs Dawn Olsen, will host a memorial walk around the village of Scone, with lamp posts bearing individual plaques of the 72 individuals from the village that perished during The Great War.

The walk, which will officially launch on 17th November 2018, will be complimented by a book chronicling the lives of the 72 local souls lost during the war. The research contained in the book was compiled by a small team of researchers across the country, with one based in Malta.

Additionally, the books will contain a QR code which, when scanned, will open an audio file containing an individual soldier’s life story, as narrated by a member of the local community.

Commenting, Mr Swinney said:

“I was overwhelmed by the time, effort and passion that Dr and Mrs Olsen have put in to this project. The book in particular is a remarkable piece of work, and a wonderful tribute to those who tragically perished during the First World War.

“I am also conscious that this has been a project which has involved the wider Scone community, and I congratulate all those involved in bringing this initiative to fruition.

“I am honoured to be attending the opening of the memorial walk in November, and I would encourage all those within the local community to participate in this important event. In the meantime, I look forward to continuing to read each individual soldier’s life story, which is documented so movingly within the memorial book.”

Scone Remembers was initially envisioned in 2014, and over the subsequent years has received Heritage Lottery funding as well as being the subject of fundraising within the local community. The book was compiled by Dawn Olsen and John MacDuff, with an initial print run of 250 books. The book can be purchased for £25 at Scone Palace or at The Sweetie Shop on Perth Road, Scone. Orders can also be submitted via the official Scone Remembers website, subject to an inclusive shipping charge.