SCOTLAND'S Covid memorial has been officially opened by deputy first minister John Swinney in Glasgow.
Tears were shed as emotional memories of difficult times during the pandemic were read out to about 70 people gathered in the city’s Pollok Country Park for the ceremony on Friday.
The memorial is a collection of “I remember” oak tree supports throughout the park at the Riverside Grove location.
Poet and artist Alec Finlay, who was commissioned last year to make them, said the designs were inspired by the support ordinary people showed one another during the pandemic.
The key motif of “I remember” is carved on each one in several languages.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was due to speak at the ceremony but, due to catching Covid herself, Swinney stepped into her place.
He delivered a speech and laid a wreath in memory of those lost during the pandemic.
Speaking about the memorial opening, he said: “This is a particularly significant moment for families who have lost loved ones during the pandemic.
“The artist exhibit is a beautiful illustration of support and solidarity of the values that got us all through the pandemic and which will help us through the recovery.
“And it’s set in a place of peace and tranquillity in Pollok Park, and it’s a beautiful place for us to remember them.”
Singer Margaret Bennett performed a traditional Gaelic lament from Glen Lyon, Grioghal Cridhe to allow for a moment of reflection before Finlay gave a speech about the memorial.
The artist read a passage from I Remember, a book of emotional and heartbreaking memories people have of the pandemic, which Finlay collected by reaching out to members of the community.
A walk through the park then followed, led by bereaved relatives Connie McCready, Peter McMahon and Carolyn Murdoch, to allow time for personal reflection.
Murdoch, who is a member of a Covid support group that had some input into the memorial, attended to remember her late father John Connelly.
He died in April 2020 aged 104 after he contracted Covid in a care home.
“It was very difficult not having the support you should have, which makes this [memorial] so relevant,” she said.
“These supports depict how a lot of people felt.”
Murdoch said she and her brother only had 15 minutes each with their father the day before he died.
Connelly died alone in Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Getting emotional, Murdoch said: “He was a special wee man.
“It’s lovely to be part of this memorial, and to remember your loved one walking through it.”
The campaign to create a national memorial to those who lost their lives during the pandemic was initiated and led by The Herald.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel