Gardeners at properties across the north-east have grown striking memorial displays to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the final days of the First World War.
The armistice installations have their own dedicated area in gardens at seven National Trust for Scotland (NTS) locations, such as Crathes Castle and Drum Castle in Banchory, and Pitmedden Gardens near Ellon.
Every display was planted in June with the assistance of Royal British Legion members and can be easily spotted throughout the coming months by its border of white flowers such as alyssums, cosmos “purity” and lavatera flowers, representing the colour of the armistice.
The idea came from Laurie Daguin, head gardener at Drum Castle, to mark the centenary of the Great War, as well as the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Air Force.
He said: “Many of our properties had very prosperous gardens before the First World War, but they fell into disrepair when most of their workforces were called to action.
“We’re aiming to unravel the myths from the time of the war, such as who maintained the gardens while the fighting was taking place, while remembering all who fell during the conflict.”
Haddo House was used as a maternity hospital during the Second World War, one of a number of wartime connections among NTS properties.
