Scottish Veterans News

Long Service to SVR Recognised

susie — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:03:51 +0000

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.

SVR Runners Brave The Heat

susie — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:14:05 +0000

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!

Royal Celebration SVR’s Centenary

susie — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:48:50 +0000

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

The chicks who laid the chocolate eggs

susie — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:43:10 +0000

SVR supporters and expert knitters Gill Hamilton, Carolyn Barrett and Dorothy Macfie produced over 50 of these adorable knitted Easter chicks, raising over £100 for SVR. Originally aiming to knit a couple of dozen, the chicks proved so irresistible that they kept knitting until there was no more wool left in the UK! Not only are the chicks very cute, they contain the added surprise of a chocolate egg inside. All donations taken for the chicks have gone to help SVR’s work in supporting veterans who are homeless, isolated or in need.

Fallen Hero Honoured

susie — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:45:26 +0000

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

They were there to lay a wreath and honour the officer whose sacrifice led to the opening of Rosendal as a home for veterans.

Another Loch Ness ‘Monster’ Effort

susie — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:47:31 +0000

A fantastic run from Christine Torrance saw her completing the Loch Ness marathon in a fantastic time.

Christine still smiling at 22 miles!

Christine completed the Loch Ness marathon in a time of 3:51 and raising money for SVR. Well done Christine!

Magnificent Makeover for Maclagan Room

susie — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:38:48 +0000

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

Historic Whitefoord House operated by Scottish Veterans’ Residences has had many makeovers in its 99 year history as a veterans home but this latest redevelopment, funded by grants from Poppyscotland, the Army Benevolent Fund and the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, sets a new standard of comfort, quality and facilities.

The refurbishment included changing the residents’ lounge from a functional room to a high class, beautifully furnished recreation area, installing a new disabled toilet, refurbishing the snooker room and installing a new IT room.

Dundee veterans to honour fallen Somme hero

susie — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:09:00 +0000

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.

Second Lieutenant Frank Proctor Kyd, killed at the Somme in 1916 at the age of 26, was the son of Dundee jute baron John Normansell Kyd. On John’s death the family left their mansion house in Broughty Ferry and an endowment of £10,000 to Scottish Veterans’ Residences (SVR) to run it as a residence for veteran soldiers, sailors and airmen. Opened in 1933, Rosendael has since been home to some 12,000 ex-servicemen and ex- merchant mariners, from veterans of the Great War to those of Iraq and Afghanistan and nearly every conflict in between.

The group of ex-service men and women (Rosendael has 5 lady residents) will tour the Somme where over 95,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers were killed during a battle that continued for four and a half months after the unimaginable slaughter of the first day. They will pay their respects to Second Lieutenant Frank Proctor Kyd, killed on 18 August 1916 and buried in Lonsdale cemetery, and find out more about his experiences as a First World War subaltern.

The trip to France was made possible by a legacy left to Rosendael and it was considered a fitting tribute that the donation be used in part to honour the family who were so selfless in their remembrance of ex-servicemen.

Edinburgh Councillor’s Marathon Effort for SVR

susie — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:41:07 +0000

City of Edinburgh Councillor David Neckett proudly hands over a cheque for £370 to Whitefoord House resident Tommy Adams.

Tommy accepts cheque from Councillor Beckett

It is the first installment of nearly £500 that David raised for SVR by running the Edinburgh Marathon. SVR’s Chief Executive Ian Ballantyne joined Tommy and Daivd in the newly refurbished Maclagan Room at Whitefoord House for the handover. This was Councillor Becket’s first marathon and the picture below shows how delighted he was to finish. SVR was certainly delighted that he raised such a wonderful sum. Truly a marathon effort!

David at the finish

Waitrose Presents Charity of the Month Donation to SVR

susie — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:15:59 +0000

Many thanks to Waitrose Morningside and the all the customers who supported SVR as charity of the month last month.

Susie collects cheque from the Manager of Waitrose Morningside

The manager of Waitrose, Morningside presented a cheque for the magnificent amount of £625 to SVR last week. This will help to pay for furniture and fittings for the refurbished residents’ lounge at Whitefoord House. A huge thank you from all at SVR to customers and staff at Waitrose Morningside.