The Scotland’s War initiative has been awarded £75,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to help develop the project across the country.

The fund will allow Scotland’s War to paint a fuller picture of Scotland’s contribution to the conflict. It will also support the creation of a national digital archive, which will be accessible to the public.

The initiative, organised by the University of Edinburgh, began in 2009. Its initial focus was on Edinburgh’s involvement in the war. Now, with more than 20 partners on board – including the National Library of Scotland and the Scottish Military Research Group – the project will run events throughout the country to highlight the major role Scotland played in the conflict.

The project team will research records and speak to members of the public who had relations in the war in a bid to uncover previously unknown, or overlooked, aspects of Scotland’s wartime experience.

Project Director Yvonne McEwen, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of History, Classics and Archaeology, said: “We are delighted to receive this support from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The award will help us to reveal the stories hidden across Scotland, which will enable us to preserve and share a richer heritage of Scotland’s War.

“This year’s centenary offers an appropriate time to bring together stories and personal documents before they are lost. We look forward to discovering more remarkable tales which serve to remind us of the incredible contributions our relations made to the war effort.”

The HLF-funded project will focus on exploring Scotland’s War between its outbreak in August 1914 and the conclusion of the Battle of Loos in October 1915. During this 15-month period there were around 35,000 Scottish casualties.

Colin McLean, Head of HLF Scotland, said “The First World War changed the face of modern history touching the lives of everyone in this country and beyond which is why HLF is committed to helping people explore the continuing legacy of this conflict. Scotland’s War will investigate the impact the conflict had on Edinburgh though personal histories and connections. It will safeguard this precious heritage for future generations while helping people broaden their understanding of how the First World War shaped the modern world.”

There will be a launch event for Scotland’s War on 4 February, where further details and events will be announced. Should you wish to attend, please email kathryn.dunlop@ed.ac.uk.

Further information

For more information please contact: Kathryn Dunlop, Press and PR Office, kathryn.dunlop@ed.ac.uk; 0131 651 5587.