A statue in Highland Perthshire has been passed to one of Scotland’s oldest clans.
Clan Donnachaidh welcomed the statue of the 51st Highland Division piper, handed obver by chairman of the 51st Highland Division, Brigadier Alastair Dorward, at a special ceremony at Bruar.
Having been situated at the entrance to the House of Bruar for the last 12 years, the statue is used to commemorate the soldiers who served the division during the First World War.
The statue will stay in the same location, with the 51st Highland Division handing over a sum of money to help with its future maintenance.
Memorials for the 51st Highland Division can also be found in France and The Netherlands.
Gillespie Robertson, chairman of Clan Donnachaidh, said he was delighted to receive the statue.
He said: “We are both very proud and delighted.
“The statue was handed over during our annual gathering. It has been standing on our land for a number of years now.
“The 51st Highland Division used to be called the ‘ladies from hell’ when the Germans first seen them during the First World War. They had never seen men wearing kilts before and they fought so fearlessly.”
He added: “Both the clans and the division have much in common.
“The clans’ warriors were passionately loyal to the cause of the Stewart kings, but were known many centuries earlier for their exceptional performance in battle.
“The first chief of the clan was close friends with King Robert the Bruce and legend says they fought together at the Battle of Bannockburn. They also had the reputation of being among the Highland’s best swordsmen.
“The 51st has a long and hugely proud fighting reputation of its own. A few members of the clan served and died with the 51st and the clan as a whole is intensely proud now to be entrusted with the care of this memorial statue.”
The celebration took place during the annual clan gathering.
During the meeting there was an ancestry DNA project, a guided tour of Culloden battlefield and a ceilidh, with Gaelic signing from local school children.
Mr Robertson also announced the clan will be awarding the first winner of the Clan Donnachaidh award.
To mark Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, Calum Ryder will be awarded at this year’s annual dinner for demonstrating the determination of King Robert the Bruce.
