Landmarks across Glasgow will be lit in red at the end of this month to mark 100 years of the Poppy as the national symbol of Remembrance.
To celebrate the milestone, Poppyscotland are encouraging monuments, tourist destinations and businesses across Glasgow to ‘Light Up Red’.
The charity is calling for involvement from schools, universities, council buildings, landmarks, statues and other attractions during the period leading up to Remembrance Sunday from 22nd October to 14th November.
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Any building with external lighting can take part by adding red gel filters to the flood or up-lights to help commemorate the centenary.
Previous participants have included Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the SSE Hydro and Abbey Bridge in Paisley.
Three million Poppies, handmade by veterans at the Lady Haig Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, began their journey to cities, towns and villages across the country last month, ahead of the 2021 Scottish Poppy Appeal.
Around half a million special-edition centenary Poppies have also been produced to celebrate the milestone.
The Scottish Poppy Appeal is the largest annual charity street collection in Scotland, raising more than £2 million each year for advice, employment, housing, mental health and mobility in support of the Armed Forces community.
Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland, said the occasion is particularly important after Covid-19 impacted the fundraiser last year.
He said: “The last 18 months have been a very difficult time for us as a charity, and even more so for the Armed Forces community we support.
“The pandemic halted all our major fundraising events and we had to drastically change the way in which we reached out to the public for donations. Despite this we have still provided our vital, life-changing support uninterrupted throughout the pandemic.
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“The support of local businesses and national landmarks has been fantastic over many years, and we’re eager to hear from other locations that would like to join us in paying tribute to Scotland’s Armed Forces community.
“To see the country light up red during the Remembrance period will be even more poignant as, 100 years on, the Poppy Appeal remains as important now as it ever has been.”
More information about how to Light Up Red for Poppyscotland and the 2021 Scottish Poppy Appeal can be found at www.poppyscotland.org.uk/light-up-red
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