Crosses placed at Fife’s first Garden of Remembrance at Kirkcaldy War Memorial
The first ever Garden of Remembrance in Fife has been launched.
The first crosses were placed next to Kirkcaldy War Memorial in a simple ceremony today.
The garden has been created next to the memorial, and people can add crosses in the run up to Remembrance Sunday on November 8.
The garden has been organised by the Kirkcaldy branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland and it also marks the 100th anniversary of the poppy in Scotland - the doors to Lady Haig’s poppy factory in Edinburgh opened in 1926.
It opened at the same time as the national Garden of Remembrance in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, and the launch of Scotland’s poppy appeal.
Crosses will be available at Kirkcaldy Galleries until Remembrance Sunday as well as direct from poppyscotland.org.uk.
The Garden of Remembrance was formally opened by Robert Balfour, Lord Lieutenant of Fife, and guests at the ceremony included Melanie Ward, MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, Julie MacDougall MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, councillors and representatives from a number of local organisations.
Mr Balfour said: “Each cross placed here represents a name on the War Memorial, a relative, colleague, friend or ancestor. It may also remember someone anonymously who gave their life on our behalf.
“There is no one here whose family didn’t lose someone in World War 1 or World War II. We will remember them.”
The launch of the Garden of Remembrance also paid tibute 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!
Armistice Day will mark the 108th anniversary of the end of The Great War, 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.