Mood right for “reconciliation” after referendum

John Scott, a Conservative deputy presiding officer at the Scottish Parliament, paid his own tribute as he laid a wreath at his country’s memorial near Ypres. A weathered Saltire flew overhead.

Scots and South Africans fought together in the same units during the series of Flanders First World War battles which culminated in Passchendaele.

Mr Scott said: “There is a tremendous feeling of connection with all of our brave Scottish ancestors who gave their lives for the freedom and democracy.”

• Service of reconciliation to mark end of campaign

After the independence referendum Scotland is nearing Remembrance Sunday.

The MSP added: “Today is indicative of the sense of reconciliation across what we previously knew as the British Isles, but today the Scots, the Irish, the English and the Welsh have come together to commemorate those who were there to be counted and stood up for the freedoms that it was felt necessary to stand up for 100 years ago.

“I believe there is now a mood of reconciliation in Scotland following the referendum allowing us in Scotland to move forward and build with the new powers that we believe will come to Scotland and build a new and more prosperous Scotland.”

The Scottish memorial is at Frezenberg Ridge, in the form of a Celtic cross.

It particularly commemorates the Scottish 9th and 15th Divisions and the 51st Highland Division, which participated in the Battle of Passchendaele.

The monument was dedicated by then Scottish Parliament minister for Europe, Linda Fabriani, in 2007.

• As the dust settles on Scotland’s historic referendum, The Scotsman has created a special digital supplement to document the twists and turns of this hard-fought campaign.