Scottish Veterans News

Four staff will a total service of nearly 80 years to SVR were recognised with long service awards.  Maurice Rourke, Administration and HR Manager and Annette Miller, Care Support Supervisor were given their awards by Whitefoord House Management Council Chairman Reverend Neil Gardner (pictured left).  SVR Chief Executive gave awards to Colin Smith, Whitefoord House Assistant Manager (below centre) and Tam Pride, long serving Whitefoord House chef (below bottom).  All four were thanked most warmly for their  loyalty and dedication to helping veterans who are homeless  or in need.

Ewan feeling the heat

Six brave runners brave the sweltering heat of this year’s Edinburgh Marathon to raise money for SVR.  Christine Torrance, David Morton, Ewan Slight, George Brooke and Norman McGregor pounded the streets of the capital and East Lothian on one of the hottest days of the year so far.  Well done to then all and a huge thank you from SVR!

Christine smiles through the pain!

His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, Patron in Chief, Scottish Veterans’ Residences, and The Duchess of Gloucester were guests of honour at a lunch at the Palace of Hoylroodhouse on

His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester meeting El-Alamein veteran David Lunan

Wednesday 21 April where veterans of all ages were celebrating the centenary of Scottish Veterans’ Residences. The lunch, supported by a grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards For All programme was attended by over 60 veterans whose service ranged from World War 2 right up to Iraq and Afghanistan. Among them was 91 year old David Lunan, a veteran of El Alamein, who came to Whitefoord House after his wife died, and 38 year old Gavin Barclay who commented: “it’s nice to be recognised like this”.

The veterans who live in accommodation supported by SVR in Edinburgh or Broughty Ferry, Dundee were joined by serving military officers, Trustees and supporters of the charity to celebrate the milestone.

SVR supports independent living accommodation for ex-Service men and women in need, whether due to homelessness, infirmity, isolation or difficulties brought on by service such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

When the charity was set up in 1910 the first residents were veterans of The Crimea, The Indian Mutiny and the Afghan Wars. They were housed in dormitories and were required to work in return for their board and lodgings apart from ‘the destitute’ who qualified for free room and board. Today all residents have single en-suite rooms and the enjoy facilities including lounges, IT equipment and games rooms.

The celebration was supported by Awards For All

Residents and staff from Rosendael visited the grave of Frank Proctor Kyd in Flanders.

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A fantastic new development for the Whitefoord House room, funded by grants from Poppyscotland, the Army Benevolent Fund and the Merchant Navy Welfare Board. (more…)

On Saturday 26 September a group from Rosendael left on a pilgrimage to the grave of the fallen First World War officer whose sacrifice led to the founding of their residence. (more…)