Lady Haig's Poppy Factory

Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh employs veterans with disabilities to hand-assemble some five million poppies and 8,000 wreaths each year for the Scottish Poppy Appeal. Founded by Lady Haig, wife of the Field Marshal, in 1926, the first poppies were made by two ex-Servicemen and a pair of scissors.

Today 40 ex-Servicemen who, between them, have seen service from Korea to the first Gulf War, continue to make the poppies for the whole of Scotland. Two varieties – a plastic-stemmed and a stick-on – are produced by hand, although a machine now cuts out the poppy shape!

Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory also boasts a picture framing service and has been awarded membership of the Fine Art Trade Guild, with head framer Willy Magee a Guild Commended Framer. The Factory is also a popular destination for visits by schools, organisations, celebrities and even royalty.

To find out more about the work of the Factory visit www.ladyhaigspoppyfactory.org.uk.