This year the History Society funded the Poppy Crosses to be 
placed on the War Graves in the Kirkyard and Ian Swan, Deacon Convenor of The Haill Six Incorporated Trades of Kirkcudbright kindly agreed to place them for us. In all he has placed 30 poppy crosses.
Have you noticed a variation in the type of poppies people wear on television. So, what is different about the Scottish poppy?
The Scottish poppy has four-lobed petals and no leaf. That is in contrast to the poppy used in the rest of the UK, which has two petals and sometimes sports a green leaf.
Poppies sold in Scotland are made at Lady Haig’s poppy factory in Edinburgh. When it was founded back in 1926, it introduced a different style of poppy – designed by Lady Haig – and has stuck to it ever since. That is until this year when the new style has been introduced. Poppyscotland, which raises money to support armed forces north of the border, also said it would be “botanically incorrect” to add a leaf.
A team of 33 veterans still work at the poppy factory. They have served in conflicts from Northern Ireland in the 1970s to the war in Afghanistan and subsequent operations and all have disabilities and vulnerabilities. This year though they have been performing tasks other than making poppies, including assembling wreaths.
That’s because, for the second year, all the poppies are now plastic-free and are made with a machine. Poppyscotland has produced two million for this year’s appeal, and 50% of the material used is made from recycled coffee cups.
The green plastic stem and black button in the centre of the poppy have been replaced by the new style poppies to reduce plastic waste by 2026.
Poppyscotland is part of the Royal British Legion group of charities.
The British Legion operates across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Poppyscotland operates as a distinct charity north of the border – and all money raised in Scotland is spent here. (information from a variety of sources)