Photograph by Jamie Williamson
A new £1.3 million activity centre supporting Scotland’s Veteran community has enjoyed its grand opening in Forres, as Erskine Veterans Charity expands its services into the north of Scotland.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony [pictured above] was led by centre members Stevie Gray (61) and Fiona Robinson (69), both RAF Veterans, Erskine Chairman Stuart Aitkenhead, Erskine Chief Executive Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE, Wing Commander Jim Henderson of RAF Lossiemouth, and Erskine Ambassador and Team GB Paralympian Scott Meenagh — joined by Veterans, supporters, and members of the local community to celebrate the launch of The Erskine Veterans Activity Centre (EVAC).
Debs Dickson, Regional Manager EVAC Services confirmed, “The centre has already welcomed over 300 members since opening in December 2024. Offering peer support, wellbeing programmes, skills-based activities, and communal dining, the centre provides a vital space for Veterans to reconnect, socialise, and thrive”.
Photograph by Jamie Williamson
RAF Veteran Stevie Gray, who attends the centre regularly, said, “This place has given me back my confidence. It’s more than just a building; it’s a community where people understand you. I’ve made friends here who already feel like family.”
Wing Commander Ian Cumming MBE, Chief Executive of Erskine, added, “The Forres centre reflects everything Erskine stands for — connection, purpose, and support for those who have served. The response from the Veteran community has been incredible, and this is only the beginning of what we hope to achieve here. We will be evolving more services from this building, soon, and will create new EVACs in more counties across Scotland in the coming years”.