The Royal Regiment of Scotland will be granted the Freedom of the Western Isles at a ceremony in Perceval Square, Stornoway on Saturday 7 September 2024.
The regiment will gather at Porters Lodge before marching towards Perceval Square where the ceremony will take place. Full details of the ceremony will be provided closer to the time.
In the interests of road safety and to allow for the Royal Regiment of Scotland to march safely some roads will be closed between 12pm and 12:45pm. The full road closure notice will be uploaded to the Comhairle website.
To support the event the Comhairle will be looking for volunteer marshals who will help ensure that traffic and members of the public are controlled safely.
The Freedom of the Western Isles is an honour given by the Comhairle to a person or military regiment, in recognition of their exceptional service to the area.
Since the Comhairle was formed in 1970 the Freedom of the Western Isles has been granted on 7 occasions to Rev. Donald Macaulay OBE, Father Calum Maclellan, Donald Stewart MP, Chrissie Stewart, Duncan M Morrison MBE, the Queen’s Own Highlanders and Sandy Matheson CVO OBE.
The honour was last awarded on 31 July 2023 to Sandy Matheson CVO OBE, who served as Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar from 1982-1990 and was recognised for his outstanding contribution to local business, politics, and charity.
Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Cllr Kenny Macleod, said:
“The freedom of the Western Isles is not granted often, it is the highest honour that the Comhairle can award and is reserved for those who have made the greatest contribution to these islands. I look forward to being in attendance to recognise the immeasurable service of the Royal Regiment of Scotland including the contribution of those from the Western Isles who have served in the regiment over the years.”
A commemorative service to mark the 100th anniversary of the Lewis War Memorial centenary will be held 2 weeks after the freedom ceremony on Saturday 21st September 2024 at the war memorial. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.