80 years on: Victory in Europe Day
Eighty years on from the end of the Second World War, we remember the service, struggles and sacrifices people endured.
8 May 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, the end of a six-year conflict which resulted in the deaths of more than 60 million people – most of which were civilians.
The war left millions without a home or even a country. And for some the conflict continued, with battles in Japan until 15 August 1945 when the war formally ended – Victory over Japan (VJ) Day.
“It’s hard to imagine the suffering during the Second World War. Members of the Armed Forces and civilians endured a significant emotional and physical toll during and long after the conflict,” said Carolyn MacLeod MBE, National Education and Transitions Officer (NETO). “It’s important we remember what people went through and ensure our history is never forgotten.
“Just last month, in April, we marked Month of the Military Child, so it’s even more poignant to honour the resilience and sacrifices families have faced.”
For families and educators
In her role as NETO, Carolyn is the national advocate for the educational needs of children and young people from Armed Forces families across Scotland.
Carolyn developed Forces Children’s Education, with the Association of Directors of Education (ADES), in conjunction with the Scottish Government, Scottish Local Authorities and funded by the Ministry of Defence.
The website’s aim is to bring schools, local authorities and the Scottish Government together and provide the resources parents and education professionals need.
Resources
Forces Children’s Education is dedicated to helping Armed Forces families every day of the year, providing clear and accurate information and resources.
Below are links to external resources and planned community events around Scotland that we have sourced.
Important: Please be aware that clicking on a link featured below will direct you to an external website. Forces Children’s Education is not responsible for the content or accuracy of information contained on third-party websites.
Learning materials
- The Royal British Legion’s VE and VJ Day – Teaching Resources provides a range of free resources and events for school children and their teachers, youth groups and families.
- Poppyscotland provides learning materials highlighting the importance of remembrance, veterans and the poppy.
- BBC Bitesize has teaching resources for primary and secondary pupils.
- Never Such Innocence is inviting students to write poetry to mark VE Day. You can send poetry by 15 May. Individuals can send in their poetry and schools and groups can send multiple entries.
What’s on
Events will take place all over Scotland. We’ve done our best to provide you with an extensive list, though it may not be exhaustive.
- Discover the history of Duff House, Banff, 1939-1945 on selected dates from 1 May to 29 June.
- On the evening of 3 May, VE Day 80 – Celebration Concert and Dance will take place in Stirling Castle’s Great Hall.
- Stirling Castle will have a two day celebration on 3 and 4 May. Arranged by Historic Environment Scotland there will be people dressed from the 1940s.
- Scotland Salutes: VE80, endorsed by the Scottish Government and organised by The Royal British Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, will take place on 6 May (two days before VE Day) at the Usher Hall.
- Communities across Perth and Kinross will celebrate VE day on 8 May with a wreath laying ceremony, followed that night with beacon lighting in Aberfeldy at 9pm.
- The Army Benevolent Fund will host a VE Day 80th Anniversary Dinner on 8 May at Prestonfield House. Tickets for the special event are available from the charity’s website.
- An 80-Day Piping Tribute has 20 pipers performing daily across Scotland leading up to May 8, culminating in a special rendition of Celebratum at Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire, and Inveraray War Memorial, Argyll and Bute.
- Sign up to one of the nine 90-minute guided walks through Glasgow City centre. When the lights went on again in Glasgow will take place 8 to 10 May, delivered by Dr Kevin Morrison.
- Scottish Borders Council has planned a day of celebrations on 10 May, including a parade, a military village with a display of 1940s vehicles and a musical performance.
- A series of events will take place across Moray and Banffshire, including the raising of the VE flag, a community service and ringing of the church bells.
Final thought
We hope this short guide to VE Day resources and events is helpful to you.
Please get in touch if you have any resources or information you would like to share, either as a member of the Armed Forces community or as an education professional.