We are marking this year's 2026 Scottish Poppy Appeal with a range of activity across our network to pay tribute to the Armed Forces community and raise awareness of Poppyscotland’s vital work supporting veterans and their families.
As part of our annual Remembrance commemorations, poppies will be displayed in tram cab windows across our fleet as a mark of respect. Colleagues across Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses are also invited to wear their veterans’ ties while on duty on Remembrance Sunday (8 November) and Armistice Day (11 November).
Free travel
Veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces can travel for free on trams and buses on both days. Those travelling in uniform or with an appropriate form of identification will be able to travel for free across our network.
Where safe to do so, tram and bus services across Edinburgh and the Lothians will also pause to observe a two-minute silence on both days.
New Poppyscotland bus unveiled
The launch of this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal was marked at the annual Edinburgh Poppy Day event today (29 October), with the unveiling of a new Poppyscotland-themed double-deck bus.
Designed in partnership with Poppyscotland and Lothian Buses, the bus features a striking poppy-themed livery which will travel across the network, helping to raise awareness of the charity’s work on behalf of veterans and their families.
The bus was officially unveiled on Waverley Bridge by JJ Chalmers, former Royal Marine turned para-cyclist who won a gold medal at the 2014 Invictus Games, accompanied by Edinburgh Trams' Engineering Manager, Stuart Mearns, and Lothian Buses drivers John Davies, Davd McKenzie and Alan Lowrie, all of whom previously served in the armed forces.
Gaynor Marshall, Communications Director for Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses, said:
As one of the largest employers in the region, we’re incredibly proud to have many former servicemen and women among our colleagues at Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses. That gives our longstanding support for Poppyscotland and the Scottish Poppy Appeal a very special significance for us.
We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Poppyscotland and play our part in raising awareness of the invaluable support it provides to veterans and their families.
Our buses are seen across Edinburgh and the Lothians every day, so they provide a fantastic platform to share this important message.
We hope the new design will encourage people to pause, reflect and show their support for this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal.
