Members of Legion Scotland were joined by a team of local volunteers for the 2024 dedication ceremony of the commemorative stone on the town’s Black Hill. Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire Alastair Macphie revealed the testament to the long-standing monument one year after Stonehaven honoured the 1923 dedication of the memorial.

At that 2023 event, more than 100 bandsmen, including 72 pipers, led a parade through Stonehaven in memory of the 1923 ceremony, which saw the memorial unveiled by Viscountess Cowdray of Dunecht House. Her great-grandson, Charles Pearson, attended last year’s ceremony and unveiled a commemorative plaque. It is this plaque that has now been affixed to a stone that sits near the memorial and overlooks the town below.

Alastair Macphie said, “The placing of the commemorative stone and plaque will show future generations that the people of Stonehaven continue to honour and remember the events of over 100 years ago. 

“People from the local community contributed to the 2023 ceremony including more recently those who installed this magnificent stone, up here on the Black Hill. I would like to thank everyone for their participation.

“I hope that the stone and war memorial will, in the future, be a poignant landmark on the Mearns Coastal Heritage Trail and be a visual legacy to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”

The plaque is engraved with a QR code which directs visitors to more information about the memorial’s history. This includes the names of all 211 service personnel inscribed on the wall panels, details about the battles with which they were involved, and a recording of The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain performed by Stonehaven-born piper Brian Elrick.

Following the unveiling, local piper Iain McFadden (also known as Skirlie) played a moving rendition of that very song on his Great Highland bagpipes, which are more than 100 years old and once belonged to Stonehaven Pipe Band’s first pipe major. 

Shona McCann, acting chair of the Stonehaven branch of Legion Scotland added, “I am overwhelmed by the efforts of so many individuals and local businesses. All have played their part in this milestone event and by doing so have added to Stonehaven’s rich history and heritage. On behalf of Stonehaven RBLS, I would like to thank everyone who generously volunteered their time, expertise and resources.”