PRAYERS and online services for victims and their families yesterday marked the 25th anniversary of the Dunblane atrocity when 16 children and their teacher were murdered by a lone gunman.
The mass shooting of the five and six-year-olds and teacher Gwen Mayor shocked the nation and led to the UK enforcing some of the strictest firearms legislation in the world.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the tragedy was “one of the darkest days in Scotland’s history”.
“The local community has shown great resilience in the years since – however, as we mark this anniversary, all my thoughts are with the families and those most directly affected, all of whom should be allowed the time and space to commemorate in their own way,” she said.
As well as the deaths, many children were seriously injured and along with other pupils at Dunblane Primary who survived, including tennis stars Jamie and Andy Murray, still bear the emotional scars.
Jack Crozier, who lost his sister Emma in the tragedy, said the anniversary was “difficult”.
Now 27, he is in contact with the relatives of victims killed in a Florida shooting who say that the gun controls introduced in the UK after Dunblane gives them hope.
Gun control campaigner Manuel Oliver, who lost his teenage son Joaquin when 17 students and teachers were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas School in 2018, said his contact with Crozier encouraged him to believe US gun laws would eventually be tightened.
“I receive energy from Jack every time I speak to him,” he said.
Crozier added: “All we can hope to offer is that onus to keep going.”
As a result of the coronavirus restrictions the annual service at Dunblane Cathedral was yesterday held online.
The Rev Colin Renwick said: “For those who lost someone in the tragedy, every day will be one of remembering in some way, and the anniversaries that will be just as poignant for them will be the birthdays of those they have lost, as they ponder what might have been.”
An online mass was held at Holy Family Church and its commemorative stained-glass windows, erected to mark the anniversary, were livestreamed on its Facebook page.
Parish priest Canon Basil O’Sullivan said: “My thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who suffered and lost so much 25 years ago.”
On Thursday night, a programme marking the anniversary aired on STV with an original musical score written by Scottish band Glasvegas.
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