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Royal Patron HRH The Duke of Gloucester visits Rosendael

HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Royal Patron of Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR), visited the charity’s Dundee residence Rosendael today to unveil a commemorative sundial to mark 90 years since it first opened its doors to ex-Service personnel.

The Duke was given a tour of the building and its grounds in Broughty Ferry, and met with residents, staff and members of SVR’s Governing Body, before unveiling a sundial which encapsulates Rosendael’s rich history.

The mansion was formerly home to a wealthy jute merchant family, the Kyds, who donated the property in memory of Frank Proctor Kyd, who was killed in action at The Somme in 1916. The family donated the house and also gave a £10,000 endowment to SVR to set it up as a home for Veteran soldiers, sailors and airmen.

The new sundial unveiled replaces the original that had stood on the same spot since 1845 and includes a piece of the original, bearing the year of its initiation.

Performing a short ceremony, The Duke made reference to its historical significance and noted that more than 2,200 residents had benefited from support from SVR since the residence opened in 1933.

His Royal Highness also paid tribute to Residence Manager Graeme Watson and the staff team, and said they could be proud of the caring and supportive culture and atmosphere of Rosendael. 

The Duke has been Royal Patron of SVR since 2004, having succeeded his mother – Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester - following her death in 2004. He previously visited Rosendael in 2005. 

SVR is Scotland’s oldest military charity, and Rosendael became its second residence in 1933, following the establishment of its original residence, Whitefoord House in Edinburgh in 1910. The third SVR residence, Bellrock Close in Glasgow, opened in 2014.

• Pictures: Alan Richardson