Poppies return to Kirkcaldy War Memorial with new Field of Remembrance unveiled

The thousands of poppies were hand knitted by members of the community, and created a stunning, eye catching display when they were unveiled last year.

They were taken down for winter and for some repairs, and work has now started on recreating the special tribute.

Volunteers with the Kirkcaldy branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland have started with the World War One Memorial and will, over coming weeks, roll them out to the balcony of the adjacent museum and art gallery, and the World War two memorial.

This year, the poppies will also be joined by the creation of the first Field of Remembrance at the War Memorial Gardens, in which small wooden crosses with the names of individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice will be recorded. The legion is also setting aside an area for white poppies - for all victims of war and in hope of continued peace - and purple poppies, which honour the animals killed in war.

The work is now underway to ensure everything is in place ahead of Remembrance Sunday which falls on November 8.

The annual commemoration has attracted big attendances in recent years with more and more community groups laying wreaths alongside local dignitaries, representatives from across the armed forces, and local schools.

Bill Mason, who chairs the local branch of the legion, said: “Where it is safe to do so, we encourage the public to add their own small woollen poppy of an appropriate colour to the nets.

“The Gardens and War Memorial have already won awards this year and are participating in further reviews in coming weeks. Local Councillor and MSP Julie MacDougall was able to achieve formal recognition to RBLS Kirkcaldy and Greener Kirkcaldy, from the Scottish Parliament as an area winner in the annual RBLS competition for the Best Kept War Memorial & Gardens.” He also paid tribute to the individuals and groups which provided replacement poppies, and thanked Growing Kirkcaldy and Kirkcaldy Men's Shed, Kirkcaldy Army Cadets, Boys Brigade, Girl Guides and the Scouts for mounting the poppies on the nets.

“It was such a wonderful community effort,” he said.

The legion hopes to maintain the display of poppies until January 2027 after the success of last year’s initiative.

The branch had invited people to knit or crochet 1500 poppies – one for every name on the memorial – which would then be placed on nets to form a cascade of poppies on the memorial’s central column.

However, the idea captured the community’s heart and the appeal left organisers overwhelmed when people created more than 8000 poppies