Beyond the Poppy: The Life and Legacy of Lady Dorothy Haig

Opened in Edinburgh in 1926 to ensure Scotland had its own supply of Remembrance Day poppies, the factory quickly grew beyond its initial purpose. Discover how Lady Haig's entrepreneurial spirit led her to create workshops that employed disabled Scottish veterans, making everything from toys to leather goods.

Learn about her hands-on approach, from driving the sales van across Scotland to bringing an elephant to the factory for publicity. This lecture explores the inspiring story of a woman who not only founded a vital institution but also dedicated her life to the welfare and employment of our veterans.

In the beginning, the poppies were made by two ex-servicemen, a pair of scissors and some tissue paper. Now a team of 34 disabled ex-servicemen and women manufacture all items for the Scottish Poppy Appeal. They also manufacture 25,000 wreaths for the patent company, The Royal British Legion and manufacture and sell commercially thousands of wreaths, Remembrance symbols, long stem poppies and other items.