Chart topping singer-songwriter Cammy Barnes performed hits Tiree Sun and Caledonia as 2.1 million poppies began their journey to the four corners of the country this week.
The occasion marks Poppyscotland’s ‘National Uplift’ ahead of the charity’s 2025 Scottish Poppy Appeal, the country’s largest fundraising campaign which takes place annually in the lead-up to Remembrance Sunday in November.
Cammy, who is currently riding high in the Top 40 with Whiskey Roll, which he also performed to staff at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory has previously shown his support for the charity. In May, he took to the stage as part of a special VE Day commemoration concert at the Usher Hall, when, together with Royal British Legion Scotland, the nation celebrated 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
Hailing from Fife, Cammy has enjoyed huge success with multiple singles charting in the UK Top 20 and number 1 entries on the Singer-Songwriter & Country/Alt iTunes Charts, and he was delighted to be asked to be a part of this key milestone in the 2025 Scottish Poppy Appeal, encouraging the supporters to go the extra mile this year in their fundraising efforts.
He said: “It was a pleasure to be at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory today to witness the 2.1 million iconic four-petalled Scottish poppies being loaded on to the lorry and begin their journey.
“It’s a momentous occasion for Poppyscotland that marks the start of what, I have no doubt, will be another hugely successful appeal.
“The poppy is our national symbol of Remembrance, and I urge people across Scotland to donate to the charity and wear their poppy with pride and show the Armed Forces community that their service is appreciated.”
Richard Todd, National Poppy Appeal Manager for Scotland said: “The national uplift marks the culmination of a year of hard work by our veterans at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory and means our biggest fundraiser is just around the corner.
“Every single penny raised helps us to continue our vital work supporting the Armed Forces community by providing mental health support, financial support, and the other essential welfare services that make a life-changing difference to those who have given so much for all of us.”
The Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, which employs a team of 36 Armed Forces veterans with a range of disabilities, was set up by Lady Haig – wife of Field Marshall Earl Haig – in 1926.
Today, the team of disabled and vulnerable ex-service men and women manufacture tens of thousands of wreaths, Remembrance symbols and long-stem poppies each year.
Between them our staff have seen service in every military campaign since the early 1970’s.
To donate to Poppyscotland, please go to: https://www.poppyscotland.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give.