Living memorial for Scotland's First World War heroes
3 Jun 2014 03:44 PM
Scotland's First World War heroes will be
commemorated by new native woodland in the Pentland Hills, south of
Edinburgh.
Over the next 4 years, more than 50,000 trees, including
oak, birch and rowan, will be planted on land that has been used by army
personnel for training for more than a century.
The
Woodland Trust Scotland is working in partnership with the Defence
Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to create Scotland’s First
World War Centenary Wood on the Ministry of Defence training estate at
Castlelaw and Dreghorn.
Forty hectares of native woodland will extend and buffer
existing woods used by soldiers for training. In time, the new woodland will be
used by troops on exercises at the training area.
A
memorial avenue of 50 wild service trees, sometimes known as chequer trees,
will break into vivid reds in autumn, and wildflowers including poppies will
provide colour while new trees grow and mature. A formal commemoration area
will provide a focal point for remembrance.
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