Special Erskine Edinburgh Visit

The daughter of Lord Erskine paid a special visit to the Erskine Edinburgh Home recently.

Mrs Betty Butler was accompanied on the tour of the Gilmerton Home by her sons David Butler – who was a pupil of EEH resident Lt Col Leslie Barr, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, aged 85, and Col George Butler OBE – serving Army officer.

Sir Frances Tudsbery, an influential member of Edinburgh society, was assisted by his close friend Lord Erskine in founding the Thistle Foundation.

Mrs Butler has long had a keen interest in the Foundation and in the Erskine Edinburgh Home having served in the Armed Forces herself within the ATS in WW2.

Erskine Edinburgh Home manager Lynn Suttie and Erskine fundraiser David Hamilton were on hand to give a guided tour of the current home and also the new expansion currently under construction.

At the end of their visit Mrs Butler presented the home with a photograph of her late father Lord Erskine of Rerrick, GBE LLD.

Erskine Edinburgh manager Lynn Suttie receives picture of Lord Erskine of Rerrick GBE LLD from his daughter Mrs Betty Butler

Erskine Edinburgh resident Lt Col Leslie JT Barr, OBLI, aged 85, reunites with former pupil David Butler

Minister For Veterans Tours Erskine Edinburgh

The Erskine Edinburgh Home welcomed Kevan Jones MP, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans, for a tour of its facilities this week.

Mr Jones MP took time out of his busy schedule to meet the residents and care staff during an extensive tour of the Gilmerton home and witness first-hand the care offered by the veterans charity.

Erskine Chairman Jim Scott and Jim Panton, Erskine’s Chief Executive also gave a personal tour of Erskine’s 48-bed expansion, which will also house the dedicated 12-bed Army Recovery Centre initiative that will help injured and wounded troops returning from current conflicts.

Kevan Jones MP, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans, said: “I’ve had a very good visit to Erskine Home, here in Edinburgh. The work of the charity is really amazing, with top quality care and support delivered by a dedicated team. I have had a chance to tour the new facilities which, in the best traditions of Erskine Homes, are finished to a very high quality and will provide a wonderful environment for ex-Service men and women. I look forward to visiting again in the future, to see the latest project up and running.”

Kevan Jones MP meets residents and staff


Erskine Chairman Jim Scott; resident Stephen Keeling, RN, aged 88; and Veterans Minister Kevan Jones MP


Erskine Chairman Jim Scott; Kevan Jones MP and Erskine's Chief Executive Jim Panton tour the Army Recovery Centre

Erskine Edinburgh's Tasty Donation

Residents, staff and volunteers at the Erskine Edinburgh Home, Gilmerton, were overjoyed to receive a somewhat unusual donation recently.

The home received a Teddy Bear Tank Cake which was the centrepiece attraction at a Help for Heroes Ball, held in Kirkcaldy.

The beautifully decorated creation was handed into staff by Caroline Stewart after the event last week.

Erskine is set to work in partnership with Help For Heroes (H4H) and the Ministry of Defence to deliver the Army Recovery Centre pilot scheme at the Gilmerton home. A 12-bed dedicated wing will open in August which will house wounded and injured troops returning from current conflict.

Lynn Suttie, Erskine Edinburgh Home manager, said: “It was a privilege to receive such a kind and tasty donation, which our residents very much enjoyed. It was certainly the talking point of the home last week!”

Edinburgh fundraiser, John Fyfe; Erskine Edinburgh Home manager, Lynn Suttie; and resident Peter Sinclair, RAF, aged 70.

Erskine Comes Out Top In Raffle

Erskine scooped £2,500 in a first prize draw at the TFN Annual Charity Awards earlier this month.

The free prize draw was organised by Keegan and Pennykid Insurance Brokers Ltd.

Erskine’s Legacy Officer Ann McCallum and Erskine Edinburgh Home Lynn Suttie were on hand to receive the cheque from June Pennykid and Ken Pennykid, Keegan & Pennykid’s managing director.

They were each given a complimentary ticket to the lavish Gala Dinner at the offices of SCVO at The Mansfield, Traquair Centre, Edinburgh.

Erskine Edinburgh Home manager, Lynn Suttie and Legacy Officer, Ann McCallum, receive a cheque for £2,500

Erskine Glasgow Enjoys Scorching Garden Party

Residents and staff of the Erskine Glasgow Home in Anniesland were treated to a fabulous afternoon at their annual Garden Party.

There was also fantastic entertainment, a Green Goddess Fire Engine and a chance to Beat the Goalie.

The event raised £1,600 for the Erskine Glasgow Home.

A big thank you to all the volunteers and staff that helped to make the day a success!