The unveiling of two new war memorials in Perthshire have been postponed as events to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day are put on hold.
Perth’s first dedicated war memorial was planned to be unveiled at St John’s Kirk on May 10 after a proposal by the Association of Perth Veterans (APV) was approved last month.
The new tribute would be the first dedicated marker to commemorate all veterans in the Fair City with services currently held at Mercat Cross.
A memorial stone to all Russian Airman who were stationed in Errol during the Second World War was also expected to be unveiled on May 8.
The rare crimson Shoksha stone was to be shipped to Scotland using the same route as the Arctic convoys before being placed in the grounds of Errol Parish Church as a permanent site for the annual commemoration.
Despite the setbacks caused by coronavirus, organisers are determined that both tributes will be unveiled at a later date and the 75th VE Day will be marked in the future.
Jim Valentine, Perth and Kinross Council depute chief executive, said: “Unfortunately, the coronavirus outbreak means events commemorating the 75th anniversary of VE Day across the country have been postponed, including our planned church service and the unveiling of the Association of Perth Veterans’ new war memorial due to take place afterwards.
“We recognise the enormous significance of the anniversary and are sure many people will mark the occasion in their own way at home.
“We are currently considering how the occasion could be marked at a future date.”
Russian author Anna Belorusova, who uncovered the story of three Russian airmen who died in a plane crash while stationed at Errol, believes the stone will now also be a symbol of global togetherness when it is finally laid.
Anna said: “Everybody involved – and there are many of us in both Scotland and in Russia – was saddened by the inevitable postponement of the shipping of the stone to Scotland due to the impact of the pandemic.
“However, here in Russia we are continuing to work on the project.
“We all wanted the Errol Stone to be a fitting tribute to the World War Tw heroes, but now it has also become a symbol of people’s togetherness and fortitude in difficult times.
“This is just a delay, and we much look forward to our joint celebration when better days come, and we can all safely meet again.”
