Taxi Charity ends memorable Scottish tour with the Edinburgh Tattoo

The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans concluded a special visit to Scotland with three WWII veterans with a spectacular night at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

WWII veteran, Don Turrell, who served with the Cameronians, called the Tattoo: “The icing on the cake after an unforgettable trip to Scotland.” He said: “It was breathtaking - from the stirring opening to the grand finale. When the pipers emerged through the smoke, I thought the procession would never end - it was magical.”

The ten day trip to Scotland was inspired by Don’s dream to visit places that had both family connections and held strong memories from WWII. The tour included Glasgow, Edinburgh, Hamilton, Cambeltown, Fort William, Duns and Kelso; and the veterans, drivers and volunteers received a wonderful welcome wherever they went.

The three drivers - Colin Mills, Paul Cook and Dean Euesden - each completed over 1,400 miles on the trip and had separate itineraries to ensure that centenarians Don, Dorothea and Eugeniusz could visit the places and areas that were personal or significant to their lives during WWII.

During the tour, Don Turrell visited the Cameronians Museum and the Ben Nevis Distillery; Dorothea Barron, who was a visual signaller in the WRNS, returned to the site of her former barracks at Port Edgar, now a housing development, had a tour of Cambelltown and visited the Springbank Distillery; and Eugeniusz Niedzielski who served with the 1st Armoured Polish Division, spent precious time with the Polish community in Edinburgh, attended a Catholic mass and a memorial service to his fallen comrades.

Paul Cook, Vice Chairman of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “This trip has given the veterans the chance to return to places of deep personal meaning from their wartime service - and they’ve enjoyed every moment.”

One hundred-year-old Don summed up the group’s feelings, saying: “It’s been absolutely wonderful - and I’m coming back next year.”

Colin Mills, Chairman of the Taxi Charity, said: “This trip to Scotland was inspired when Don quietly shared with me that his last wish was to return there. We were determined to make it happen - and in doing so, we’ve not only fulfilled Don’s dream, but also the heartfelt wishes of Dorothea and Eugeniusz.”