Kirsty McNeill Commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day at Scotland’s First Stolperstein
Kirsty McNeill, the Minister for Scotland in the UK Government, recently attended the unveiling of Scotland’s inaugural Stolperstein memorial in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, to honour Holocaust Memorial Day 2026. The memorial pays tribute to Jane Haining, a Church of Scotland matron whose courage and dedication led to her death in Auschwitz during World War II.
Significance of Stolpersteine
Stolpersteine, or “stumbling stones,” are brass memorials created by German artist Gunter Demnig. They are embedded in pavements outside the last known residences of Holocaust victims, serving as poignant reminders of individual lives lost during this tragic period in history.
Honouring Jane Haining
The plaque in Stockbridge commemorates Haining, originally from Dunscore, Dumfriesshire. She died in Auschwitz for refusing to abandon Jewish girls under her care amidst the horrors of the Holocaust. When urged to return home as the war escalated, Haining famously stated, “If these children need me in days of sunshine, how much more do they need me in days of darkness?”
Arrested by the Gestapo in April 1944 for her emotional response to sewing yellow stars onto her pupils’ clothing, she ultimately perished in Auschwitz-Birkenau on July 17, 1944, at the age of 47. The memorial is strategically located outside the former St Stephen’s Church, where her dedication service took place in 1932 before she left for Budapest.
Reflections from Officials
During her visit, Minister McNeill was joined by key figures from the Church of Scotland, the Edinburgh Jewish community, and Mary Miller, author of Jane Haining: A Life of Love and Courage. In her remarks, McNeill acknowledged the importance of Holocaust Memorial Day as a time for reflection on the six million Jewish lives lost, among other victims of Nazi persecution. She stated, “Jane Haining’s memorial is a reminder of the courage of those who remained steadfast in their support of the Jewish community at a time of unimaginable darkness.”
Edward Green, Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the City of Edinburgh and a member of the Edinburgh Hebrew Congregation, expressed the significance of remembering individuals like Haining, cautioning that forgetting past atrocities risks their repetition. He noted, “It reminds me that there are good people in this world… and often good, decent people pay the ultimate sacrifice, as she did.”
A Heroine’s Legacy
Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly, spoke glowingly of Haining, highlighting her role at the Scottish Mission School in Budapest during the 1930s and 1940s. Haining taught domestic service management to Jewish women, aiming to assist them in emigrating to safety in the UK. Frew remarked on Haining’s relentless commitment to her responsibilities, even when urged to return home as danger loomed. “She was determined to continue doing her duty and stick to her post,” Frew noted.
Through her selfless actions, Jane Haining embodies a story of heroism and sacrifice that remains relevant today. Her legacy serves as a compelling reminder of the choices individuals can make, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/scotland-office-minister-marks-holocaust-memorial-day
