WW1 remembrance event

Free tickets for WW1 remembrance event 22/7/14

Free places are available at a major event marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Signalling the start of the five-year Scottish Commemorations Programme, a ticket-only Drumhead Service will be held at Edinburgh Castle on August 10 before a congregation of people from all parts of Scotland.

Some 8,000 people are expected to be involved in the multi-faith service on the castle esplanade which will replicate those held on the front line 100 years ago when, in a long-held military tradition, neatly piled drums with draped Colours were used in place of an altar.

The Scottish Commemorations Panel have made 1, 000 places available for people who have not already secured tickets through their local authority or been invited by other means.

The event will mark the start of the Scottish Commemorations Programme which will remember eight particular events from World War One that had a significant impact on Scotland.

They include the start and end of the war, major battles including Gallipoli, Loos, Jutland and Arras and domestic incidents such as the Quintinshill rail disaster and the loss of HMY Iolaire.

Afterwards, military bands and guards from the three services will parade down the Royal Mile and the congregation will be invited to follow in a procession to Holyrood Park, where they will find a specially constructed memorial.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “This will be an opportunity for those from all parts of Scotland to come together to remember more than 100,000 Scots who lost their lives during the First World War, those who were left injured or disabled by the terrible conflict, and the families and communities in every city, town and village who were forced to come to terms with the terrible consequences.”

Tickets for the Drumhead Service can be requested online at www.WW100Scotland.com

Those requiring wheelchair access or with other accessibility requirements should ring 0131 225 1188.

Tickets will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis and up to ten can be requested by each applicant. All applications must be received by 4 August 2014.

Some 28 seats for the Edinburgh Castle WW1 remembrance event have already been allocated by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to people from across the islands. Representatives of the military, veterans groups, charities and civic leaders have also been invited.

► Key dates for WW1 commemorations