Six beaches across Scotland were chosen as locations for Danny Boyle’s special project commemorating the end of First World War: St Ninian’s Isle beach in Shetland, West Sands in St Andrews, Scapa beach in Orkney, Ayr Beach, Roseisle beach on the Moray Firth and Culla Bay beach on the isle of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides.
I headed for West Sands where they traced out the image of Dr Elsie Maud Inglis who is so important to us here in Edinburgh. Dr Inglis founded the Scottish War Hospitals in Europe, she was a suffragette and gave her name to a maternity hospital here in the capital. Watch our video interview below.
Her great-great niece Geraldine Inglis Agar was there to see the image being formed by sand artists and then washed away as the tide came in.
The City of St Andrews Pipe Band appeared just before the image was washed away again, but sadly the rain had come on by then.
Earlier the scene was one of sunshine and many people came to see what was happening as part of the 14-18 NOW project which almost brings their involvement to an end.
Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy was invited by Boyle to write a new poem, which was read by individuals, families and communities as they gathered on beaches across the UK today.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
