News

Service commemorates Remembrance Sunday

Edinburgh’s universities will host a joint memorial service for Remembrance Day this weekend.

Poppy wreaths lie against the Old College War Memorial

The service will take place on Sunday 10 November at 10:00am at the Playfair Library, Old College, South Bridge.

It will honour the contribution of service members from Britain and the Commonwealth, the role played by emergency services and those who have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism.

The event is being held jointly between the University and Heriot-Watt, Napier and Queen Margaret universities. It will be conducted by chaplains to the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University.

Students, staff and alumni from all participating universities are welcome to attend, along with family, friends, and members of the public.

Service details

Attendees are asked to be seated in the Playfair Library no later than 10am.

A collection will be held in aid of the PoppyScotland, which provides support for current and former members of the Armed Forces as well as their families.

Units on parade will be the City of Edinburgh Universities Officers Training Corps, the Royal Naval Reserve and the East of Scotland Universities’ Air Squadron. The Pipes and Drums of the Universities Officers Training Corps will also be in attendance.

At the end of the service, those attending will be invited to observe a two-minute silence in the Old College quadrangle. This will be followed by the laying of wreaths at the University’s war memorial. 

Remembrance Sunday is an important time for us to honour the memories of those who lost their lives in service to their country and to support those who have lost family and friends in conflicts. We invite members of our community to stand in solidarity with everyone who continues to be affected by the devastating realities of war and violence to this day.

Harriet HarrisHead of the University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy

University of Sanctuary

As the first institution in Scotland to be recognised as a University of Sanctuary and a founding member of the Council for At Risk Academics (CARA), the University takes an active role in supporting those seeking sanctuary across the world.

Through scholarships, collaborative projects and community initiatives, people whose life chances have been impaired by events beyond their control are offered safety and sanctuary.

Earlier this year, a new umbrella programme, Education Beyond Borders, was established to further support displaced students and academics. The first cohort of students from more than 20 counties within the new Displaced Scholarship programme were welcomed to Edinburgh in September. 

Notable alumni who have been supported at Edinburgh include prominent neuroscientist Marthe Vogt and Nobel Prize winner Max Born.

As a University of Sanctuary, the institution also offers a wide range of wellbeing and pastoral support to members of its community who have been affected by global conflicts:

Support | A University of Sanctuary

Related links

Find Old College on Campus Maps

PoppyScotland

Image credit - Whitedog Photography