Crosses for the fallen: first ever Field of Remembrance at Kirkcaldy War Memorial
A first ever ‘Field of Remembrance’ is to be created at Kirkcaldy’s War Memorial Gardens to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
It has been organised by the Kirkcaldy branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland and opens on Saturday, October 24 ahead of this year’s annual Remembrance Sunday commemoration on Sunday, November 8.
It also marks the 100th anniversary of the poppy in Scotland - the doors to Lady Haig’s poppy factory in Edinburgh opened in 1926.
The Field of Remembrance will be created adjacent to the war memorial, and will open at the same time as the national Garden of Remembrance in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, and the launch of Scotland’s poppy appeal.
Locals are invited to obtain special wooden crosses from Kirkcaldy Galleries on the day which will then be placed in the unique memorial.
The crosses will be available until Remembrance Sunday as well as direct from poppyscotland.org.uk. Anyone can come along and pay respects, or plant a cross, but the organisers are particularly seeking descendants and family members of those named on Kirkcaldy’s war memorials.
The launch of the Field of Remembrance will also pay tribute to the many youth organisations which assisted with the woollen poppy nets which have decorated the war memorial. These include the Kirkcaldy based Army Cadet Force; RAF Cadets, Girl Guides; Boys Brigade and Scouts.
Bill Mason, chair of the Kirkcaldy branch, said: “We also thank all those who supported our woollen poppy appeal in 2025 and 202. Most of the poppies today have been recycled from last year. This was a huge effort in 2025 by individuals and groups of knitters and crocheters!
“This will be a community moment of reflection with no parades, just an informal gathering. We will have a piper and local dignitaries will likely be in attendance.”
This year marks the 108th anniversary of the end of The Great War (WW1). We also remember and 110 years since the the battle of the Somme, the 105th year since the birth of the Royal British Legion Scotland and the 101st anniversary of the opening of the Kirkcaldy War Memorial.
The ceremony runs from 11:00am to 11:45am
The Legion will have helpers with mallets to assist with planting the wooden crosses.