Ross highlights vital role of Moray veterans’ community in Scottish Parliament
The importance of the veterans’ community to Moray has been highlighted in the Scottish Parliament.
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Douglas Ross said it was “fantastic” to have the opportunity to highlight the importance of the veterans’ community to Moray during a debate in Holyrood.
He closed the debate on behalf of the Scottish Conservatives, and highlighted how Moray is home to the top three council ward areas with the highest veterans’ population in Scotland.
In the Heldon and Laich ward, which is home to RAF Lossiemouth, one in five households have a veteran living in them, while in second place is the Forres ward which is home to Kinloss barracks, and formerly RAF Kinloss.
The third ward is Fochaber Lhanbryde, which Mr Ross represented for a decade on Moray Council. He then went on to say that it is great that the census now shows the whole of Scotland the large veteran population who reside in Moray.
Mr Ross also used his speech to say how “excited” he is about the imminent opening of a new veterans activity centre in Forres where the facility will offer veterans a “vibrant and welcoming space” where they can “immerse themselves in activities, support services and a true sense of community.
He stated that he is “not alone” in thinking how it is a positive development for veterans and the wider community.
Mr added that the veteran population are also “crucial” for Moray’s economy and cited examples of businesses being set up by ex-forces personnel because they wanted to remain in the area, and others choosing Moray as their place to live because they can call upon the expertise of veterans living locally.
He continued: “It was fantastic to have the chance to take part in this debate and give my thanks to Moray’s veteran population in parliament.
“People living in Moray have always been aware of the sizeable veteran population, so it is great that thanks to the census, all of Scotland is aware that this area is home to the top three council wards with the most veterans living in them.
“We must do all we can to support our veterans which is why I am so excited about the new veterans activity centre that will soon open in Forres. It will be a fantastic facility and I know that it I am not alone in thinking in how it will be such a positive facility for our veterans and the wider community.
“Our veterans do so much for Moray and they are crucial for our local economy. The proud military history in the area often encourages people to come and move here, while others find themselves staying here after leaving the armed forces.
“I will continue to praise our veterans at every opportunity and I am proud to represent an area that is home to so many of them.”
