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Female Veterans Networking Event and Afternoon Tea, The Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh, Saturday 28th February 2026

On Saturday 28th February 2026, LVC’s female staff and dedicated volunteers had the absolute pleasure of hosting a group of awe inspiring female veterans, and many empowering women from our partner organisations that support them, at our THIRD Networking Event and Afternoon Tea in the beautiful Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh.

These events get bigger and better each time and the women were welcomed to this one by our piper, Sean. We were also joined by the handsome Clyde

, a BRAVEHOUND puperoo who came along with Ali! We must also give a big shout out to Pip, from Operation Cairngorms CIC, one of our trusted partners, and THE FIRST female Army Commando!

We want to say a massive thank you to Susie Hamilton, the Scottish Veterans Commissioner, who delivered an engaging address, and to Liza Jarvis, Female Veterans’ Transformation Programme Lead, who updated us on their online toolkit and who highlighted that, out of all the devolved nations, Scotland had leaned in most to offer support. Susie and Liza have supported LVC’s female veterans’ project, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, since it began 2 years ago and we are especially grateful to them.

We would also like to say a big thank you to Dr Alethea McHardy, a Consultant in Sport, Exercise and Rehab Medicine, working for the MoD as clinical lead for Scotland and Germany. Alethea is undertaking a PhD in health outcomes for female veterans in Scotland and she chose our event to launch her much needed project for female veterans and servicewomen ‘Her Service Her Health!

We also want to say a massive thank you to Peter from Dundee Gin who came to support us again and who brought his delicious array of gins to taste and buy and provided all the goodie bags for our attendees.

A huge thank you also goes out to Rebecca, an Army veteran, who came all the way from Elgin to offer crafts and helped the women personalise some keyrings, coasters and bookmarks to take away. A hoofing shout also out goes to Carole, a Royal Navy veteran, who very kindly made and donated the delicious Scottish tablet for our attendees and who drove a 4 hour round trip from Gourock to Edinburgh to deliver the tablet as she couldn’t attend the event because she was so unwell. A stellar example of just how resilient and remarkable our veterans are!

A great big thank you also goes to Grace, a Royal Navy veteran, and also of our longstanding and hard working volunteers and board members, and to her family for donating the fabulous hamper for our raffle! We raised a fantastic £665!

This was a day of fun, shared experiences and purpose, where the atmosphere was uplifting and buzzing, and where former servicewomen from all over Scotland could connect, collaborate and celebrate their service in a tri-service environment.

We can’t wait for the next one!

#WomenVeterans

#femaleveterans

#Networking

2 SCOTS Breakfast Morning

Two of the team joined 2 SCOTS for their monthly Veterans breakfast morning held at Scots Corner. We were treated to copious amounts of tea and coffee to wash down the selection of filled rolls which included bacon, fried eggs, black pudding etc. Thanks to the guys at 2 SCOTS for having us. The Veterans breakfasts are held on the first Tuesday of every month, 10am – 12pm, so if you are free get yourself down for a free brekkie and some banter.

2026 Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Lothians Veterans Centre will be held on Thursday 29th January at 18:30hrs at LVC, 11 Eskdaill Court, Dalkeith, EH22 1AG.

In line with the continued tradition of LVC having open AGMs, the Board of Trustees are content if any veterans or family members wish to attend, but please notify us in advance by emailing [email protected] or calling the centre on 0131 660 5537.

MacTaggart Scott Donation - Thank You

Each year, MacTaggart Scott generously supports LVC with a donation, and we are always extremely grateful. This year, we plan to use part of the £1,700 contribution to help fund our Christmas food hampers. While we provide hampers throughout the year, the Christmas hampers are especially important for those facing the pressures of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis during what can be a particularly stressful and/or lonely festive season. As our team takes some time off over Christmas, it brings us peace of mind to know that we can offer families some extra food, toiletries, and festive items during this period.

A beautiful watercolour painting of a vibrant red poppy

'For the Fallen'

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

by Laurence Binyon

Female veterans standing in front of a yurt tent with OP Cairngorm staff members and two dogs

Project Juliet - Op Cairngorms 2025

What a weekend!

Following on from the immense success and enjoyment of our families’ weekend in July, we took 10 female veterans for our first ‘Wild Women’s Retreat’ at Op Cairngorms between 19th September and 21st September and it was outstanding! There was something for everyone and a chance to have a go at lots of activities we hadn’t tried before.

New friendships were formed and old ones rekindled whilst we bonded round the campfire and shared stories of service and life after service. Some of us camped in tree tents whilst others slept in bell tents and cosy yurts. The weather was kind to us despite the forecast indicating it was going to rain for a lot of the weekend.

Pip and Stu at Op Cairngorms are truly inspirational and fantastic hosts and they taught us a myriad of new skills.

The activities included:

Axe throwing

Crossbow range

Woodland walks

Mindfulness in nature

Log splitting

Wood carving

Daisy balm making

Conker soap making

Bread making

Wild swimming