Kirkcudbright residents bring in 2023 with special European message

A group of Kirkcudbright residents brought in the New Year in unusual style – by illuminating the old court house building.

The light display, projected on behalf of the European Movement in Scotland and South West Scotland for Europe, carried the message “50 years on Scotland still loves Europe”.

The New Year’s Day event was staged to mark the 50th anniversary of the UK joining the then EEC on 1 January 1973 – and Scotland’s overwhelming vote to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum.

South West Scotland for Europe supporter Gerry Hassan, who lives in Kirkcudbright, helped plan the display.

He said: “I put the image up on my Twitter page on New Year’s Day. It has got more than 37,000 views and lots of interest and engagement.

“New Year’s Day marked the 50th anniversary of the UK joining the EEC.

“This should have been an occasion for celebration, but despite Scotland voting 62 per cent to 38 per cent to remain in the 2016 referendum, the UK voted narrowly to leave.

“We wanted to make a bold statement that Scotland still feels European and sees its future as part of the EU.”