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Volunteering, Remembrance and the Veteran Community in the Highlands

Volunteering within the veteran community in Scotland is not only about practical support; it is also about Remembrance, respect and preserving shared history. In the Highlands, Remembrance runs deep, reflected in longstanding traditions and powerful memorials that honour both local and international sacrifice.

At the beginning of this month, I had the privilege of visiting a range of organisations providing support to the veteran community in Inverness and Strathspey. It was tremendous to see the contributions made by so many volunteers in delivering services to veterans and the wider Armed Forces Community. The importance placed on Remembrance and the efforts made by members of local communities to honour the sacrifices of Service people from the UK and allied nations was genuinely impressive.  

Across Scotland, memorials stand as quiet witnesses to Service and loss. Sites such as the Norwegian Linge Memorial at Glenmore, which commemorates the close ties between Scotland and the Norwegian resistance during the Second World War, highlight how the Highlands played a role in international efforts against oppression. Similarly, the Force K6 Memorial at Kingussie honours the 13 Muslim and 1 Hindu soldiers from the Royal Indian Army Service Corps Force K6 – Animal Transport Company who died in Scotland  during the Second World War. These memorials remind us that the veteran community is shaped not only by local stories, but by shared global histories.

Norwegian Linge Memorial - Norwegian Patriots 1941-1945 (Kompani Linge)

Force K6 Memorial - Royal Indian Army Service Corps (Force K6) Memorial

Volunteers help to ensure these histories remain living memories rather than distant pasts. Through supporting Remembrance events, helping maintain memorial sites, and assisting veterans to attend commemorations, volunteers play an important role in keeping connections strong between veterans, communities and places of Remembrance. One extraordinary example of dedication is that of Kingussie resident Isobel Harding BEM,  who tended the graves of members of the Force K6. Isobel maintained the graves of ‘her boys’ for more than 60 years, devoting a lifetime to ensuring their sacrifice was not forgotten.

In rural and remote parts of Scotland, volunteering can also help tackle isolation, particularly for veterans who are looking for a welcoming environment and to meet with like-minded people. The Veterans Club, at Grantown-on-Spey is one example of a space where those who have served can share their camaraderie and a renewed sense of belonging.

Remembrance belongs to all of us. It is a shared responsibility of our whole community. Volunteers from all walks of life play a vital role in honouring, with dignity, those who sacrificed so much for the freedoms we all enjoy.