An artwork, commemorating Scotland’s contribution to soldiering during the past 100 years has been put on public display in Inverness.
Military artist David Rowlands’ painting “Service” is touring Scottish cities as part of the country’s World War I commemorations, and will be exhibited in the Highland Archive Centre until the end of September.
It recognises the place of the Army in society and the worth of past, present and future generations of serving soldiers, veterans and their families.
The painting was presented to the Scottish Parliament in conjunction with the centenary of the World War I Battle of Loos – September 27 to October 18, 1915 – in which 35,000 Scottish soldiers took part.
More than 800 Highland soldiers were killed in the bloody conflict.
Provost of Inverness and councillor Helen Carmichael said: “I am pleased that people in Inverness and the Highlands will have the opportunity to view David Rowland’s painting.
“Although the painting is touring Scottish cities as part of World War I commemorations, it also strongly reflects the ethos of Highland Council’s Armed Forces Covenant.
“This is a statement of support between the armed forces and the civilian community, and I am delighted to see it being hosted here in Inverness.”
A poignant ceremony was held in Inverness last year to mark the centenary of the Battle of Loos and the losses of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.
The engagement, in which five battalions of the regiment took part, along with over 40 other Scottish battalions, was the largest of 1915 on the Western Front and an attempt to break the stalemate of trench warfare.
After three weeks of bitter fighting, the offensive failed, due – according to contemporary commentators – to a lack of artillery support, ammunition and infantry reserves. Only the Black Watch suffered greater losses than the Camerons.
The painting is in the Highland Archive Centre on general exhibition from August 4 to September 29 and will subsequently return to the Scottish Parliament.
It was commissioned through funds raised by voluntary contributions from a range of sources including service personnel and veterans.
