Scots landmarks turn red for Poppy Appeal

LANDMARKS across the Lothians have been painted red and decorated with poppies to mark this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal.

Edinburgh Airport control tower turned red to mark this year's Scottish Poppy Appeal. Picture: Mark Owens

Drivers making their way along the M8 will now be able to spot giant red poppies painted on the side of the grass pyramids bordering the busy motorway.

Ground staff from BT Murrayfield Stadium joined pitch-painting specialists from Linemark UK to paint the symbols on three of the structures overlooking the M8 near Bathgate and Blackburn.

Elsewhere, thousands of messages of support have been attached to a tree sculpture planted next to the Field of Remembrance in Princes Street Gardens.

The 'pyramids' on the M8 have had large poppies painted on them. Picture: Contributed

Organisers Poppyscotland is inviting the public to plant crosses in the field throughout next week in exchange for a donation – with other religious symbols such as a Sikh Khanda, Muslim Crescent Moon and a Jewish Star of David also available.

The 57-metre air traffic control tower at Edinburgh Airport has also become one of this year’s first Scottish venues to be lit up red as part of the remembrance events.

The theme of the 2015 Scottish Poppy Appeal is “donate like you mean it” – with Poppyscotland aiming to raise as much money as possible so it can continue to support those in the armed forces community who need it most.