Streets will turn blue on Friday as the UK formally leaves the European Union.
Although the actual effects of the country’s departure from the EU may not begin to be felt for several months, a number of events are taking place around Tayside and Fife to mark Brexit.
Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU and it seems almost all of Friday’s events have been organised as wakes rather than celebrations.
In Dundee, public buildings and spaces including the Caird Hall, Dundee House, Seabraes and Slessor Gardens will be lit blue to mark the end of the UK’s EU membership.
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Dundee SNP councillor Will Dawson, who chaired the local authority’s cross-party Brexit Group, said action must be taken to preserve some of the benefits EU membership brought, such as participation in the Erasmus scheme.
He added: “We will also need to understand and try to mitigate any potential damage that comes from our exit.
“My biggest regret about this whole situation is with regards to the opportunities that our young people will lose – things such as the right of free movement which has been enshrined in the EU and allowed people to learn, live, work and travel in Europe without barriers.”
“What must be remembered in all of this, though, is that Dundee is very much a European and international city, with strong ties to Poland and twin cities in France, Croatia and Germany.
“It is a melting pot of different nationalities, languages and customs and, despite our leaving the EU, everyone is welcome to both Dundee and Scotland. After all, we’re all Jock Tamson’s bairns.”
Mr Dawson added: “As Friday sees us leave the EU we will mark the occasion by turning the Caird Hall — after the concert that night — Seabraes, Dundee House, the railway station and Slessor Gardens blue.
“In my view, this is both reflecting our European connection for those of us that still do not wish to leave but to also mark the last date of European membership for those that do.”
Some of the groups saying ‘auf wiedersehen’ tonight
The Dundee and Angus Independence Group is also staging its own event on Friday evening.
At 5pm it will use candles to recreate the EU flag in the City Square before marching up Reform Street to the McManus Galleries.
There, a lone piper will play a lament before a lone candle is left on the museum steps alongside a Saltire and an EU flag.
In Perth, the Perth4Europe group will hold a rally on the Queen’s Bridge at 10.30pm. EU supporters are being asked to bring flags and placards.
A day of action will take place in Kirriemuir. A 12.5-hour vigil will begin in the Square at 11am.
A similar event will take place in Kirkcaldy from 7pm.
Mr Dawson concluded: “For me, I’ll raise a glass to the EU on Friday with a French or German wine and hope that, although we are saying ‘auf wiedersehen’, we remain united in diversity.”
