An evening of remembrance and reflection will mark the final days of Perth’s spectacular Weeping Window display.
More than 85,000 people have now visited the poignant poppies installation at the city’s Black Watch museum.
The artwork, which was part of the Tower of London’s Blood Swept Lands display, opened to the public at the end of June. The 5,000 ceramic poppies will be at Balhousie Castle until September 25, after which time they will be dismantled, boxed up and transported to Caernarfon Castle in Wales, the next destination of the 2016 tour.
On Thursday, September 16, the museum will host an event offering a unique opportunity to hear from a distinguished panel — and join in the discussion — on themes of remembrance and commemoration.
Major Ronnie Proctor, secretary of The Black Watch Association, said: “The act of remembrance is a personal one, one that can be affected by personal experience and the experience of friends and relatives who have been affected by war time and peace keeping duties.
“This event will give individuals attending the opportunity to communicate and discuss the ways in which they remember and consider a variety of differing perspectives.”
Alongside Major Proctor, the panel will feature Black Watch Castle chairman Alistair Irwin who is president of Poppy Scotland and former vice chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Michael Penman, senior lecturer at Stirling University and military historian, broadcaster and author Trevor Royle will also be there. The discussion will be chaired by Major General Mike Riddell-Webster.
The museum’s learning and audience officer Shonagh Lowerson-Head added: “Poppies: Weeping Window has been a wonderful opportunity for all of our visitors to engage with the themes of remembrance and commemoration.
“I have had many conversations with visitors of all ages, some, but not all, with strong connections to The Black Watch and military. I believe our panel discussion will capture the diverse range of ways we choose to remember and create an opportunity for us to share this with each other.”
The event, which starts at 6.30pm, will also look at the development of commemorative practices, the observance of remembrance and its meaning to servicemen over the last 100 years.