Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Dunblane 25th anniversary: Scotland remembers one of the darkest and most heartbreaking days

© Jane Barlow/PA WireThe memorial fountain at the Garden of Remembrance at Dunblane Cemetery
The memorial fountain at the Garden of Remembrance at Dunblane Cemetery

Nicola Sturgeon yesterday spoke of “one of the darkest and most heartbreaking” days in Scotland’s history on the 25th anniversary of the Dunblane tragedy.

The First Minister yesterday posted a heartfelt message on social media, as Scots joined residents of the Stirlingshire town in quiet remembrance.

She wrote: “This day, 25 years ago, was one of the darkest and most heartbreaking in Scotland’s history. Thinking today of 16 little children, their teacher and all those who still live with the pain. They are forever in our hearts.”

Sixteen P1 children and teacher Gwen Mayor were murdered when a gunman opened fire on a gym class at Dunblane Primary School on March 13, 1996.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the tragedy “shocked not just Scotland, but the whole world. We must never forget all those who lost their lives on that terrible day. We must continue to tell their story.”

Rev Colin Renwick, minister at Dunblane Cathedral, said: “Many people in Dunblane will be marking this particular anniversary as they mark March 13 every year – quietly, privately and with respect for those who lost their lives in the tragedy of 25 years ago.

“They will also be remembering those whose grief will always be deepest, and the people who still, in one way or another, bear scars.”