November's Reflection from the Moderator
In earlier times, everyone wore the same simple poppy for Remembrance, crafted at Lady Haig's Poppy Factory in Edinburgh. Today, the symbol has evolved — we now see handmade brooches, pins, knitted and sewn poppies. Communities unite to create striking installations, many inspired by the sea of poppies that surrounded the Tower of London in 2014.
This sense of individuality combined with collective memory shows how remembrance has grown. Each of us remembers in our own way, yet we all reflect on how deeply communities were affected by the loss of so many lives.
A Moment of Reflection
Earlier this year, I had the honour of speaking at the annual service in the National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle. Part of my address included the following reflection:
This Scottish National War Memorial, erected after the First World War, reminds us that it was everybody's war. The books of names beneath the regimental memorials around us represent not just lives sacrificed but parents who lost a child, brothers and sisters who lost a sibling, husbands, wives and sweethearts who lost a partner and a future together, children who lost a parent, and friends who were not reunited. It's greater than individuals – it’s communities and workplaces missing a generation. The names recorded are just the tip of the iceberg.
Shared Memory, Shared Humanity
Remembrance is both personal and collective — a quiet honouring of sacrifice that binds us as communities and as generations.
Published on 5 November 2025 — 2 minutes read
Author’s Summary
The article reflects on how remembrance traditions have evolved from uniform poppies to personal expressions, uniting communities in shared memory and respect.