HRH The Princess Royal took centre stage at a special event in the port of Leith yesterday as she unveiled a new monument to Scotland's seafaring heroes past, present and future.

Her Royal Highness, patron of the Merchant Navy Memorial Trust Scotland (MNMTS), was joined by veterans, serving personnel and sea cadets in a ceremony of dedication for the striking new Memorial sculpture at The Shore, Leith, which has been created by renowned Scottish sculptor Jill Watson.

The Rt. Hon. George Grubb, Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon joined The Princess Royal to mark the occasion.

The day's events will commenced with a special service of dedication at South Leith Parish Church. After this, The Princess Royal visited Trinity House, house of the ancient Corporation of Master Mariners, before heading to the Shore for the unveiling ceremony itself.

The imposing sandstone monument has been erected as a permanent tribute to more than 6,500 Scottish Merchant Navy personnel who fought and died in the two World Wars and other theatres of conflict. It also commemorates those who died while in service along the world's trading routes during peacetime.

The event was made possible thanks to a fundraising drive by the MNMTS launched earlier this year. Having sourced £125,000 through private donations, the MNMTS appealed in April for public contributions to allow them to reach the target sum of £180,000 to fund the Memorial. They were inundated with donations from all over the world.

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When the Trust's website and public appeal were launched in April this year, Princess Anne said: "I am delighted to support the purposes of the Trust. The Memorial will commemorate the loss of all Scottish Merchant Navy and other Scottish seafaring and mercantile personnel who gave their lives in World Wars I and II, other theatres of conflict and in peacetime service along the trading routes of the world. They gave the ultimate sacrifice in support of their Country."

The Memorial takes the form of a 5.5m sandstone column featuring seafaring scenes in bronze relief.

The Shore was chosen as the location for this new Memorial because Leith was Scotland's premier port for more than 300 years, and served as Edinburgh's trading port for more than 700 years.

In addition, the Memorial recognises the 132 years of service dedicated to the Merchant Navy by Leith Nautical College (1855-1987) and its training ship, "Dolphin" (1944-1979).

Lord Provost George Grubb said: "We are delighted that HRH The Princess Royal can be with us today in her role as Patron of the Merchant Navy Memorial Trust (Scotland). Today's event is an historic occasion, not just for Leith and Edinburgh, but for Scotland as a whole. This majestic new memorial, so beautifully crafted by Jill Watson, stands proud at The Shore in tribute to the many thousands of Scots seafarers and other mercantile personnel who gave their lives while serving their country at sea."

William R. E. Thomson, Chairman of the MNMTS, whose family owned the respected and world-renowned Ben line for 170 years until 1996, said: "Having spent my working life involved in the Merchant Navy, I am delighted that at last proper recognition is to be given to Merchant Navy seafarers, whose contribution to our nation's welfare has gone almost unnoticed. This is so deserved."

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "This memorial will be an admirable reminder of the bravery of Scotland's Merchant Navy. We owe our seafarers a debt of gratitude and their courage will never be forgotten. Today is another fitting reminder of the bravery of our forces and our thoughts are with all of them past and present."

Wing Commander Mike Blackburn Bsc MA RAF, Officer Commanding 201 (Guernsey's Own) Squadron, said: "In recognition of the extreme and largely unrecorded bravery of all Merchant Navy personnel who faced the dangers of war and who still endure great perils at sea, 201 (Guernsey's Own) Squadron, as one of the successor squadrons of Coastal Command and its convoy protection role, is proud to be associated with the aims and objectives of the Merchant Navy Memorial Trust (Scotland)."

(GK)