In Edinburgh celebrated the 75th anniversary of the arrival in the USSR of the first Arctic convoy. The celebrations were 40 British sailors veterans. Risking their lives, they were transported to the Soviet Union military supplies and food.

At the gangway of the Royal yacht Britannia waving the Russian flag. In Scotland celebrated members of the famous Arctic convoys, the first of which reached the Soviet shore 75 years ago. Thanks to Russia these veterans are easy to learn. Everyone on the chest, the medal of Ushakov is one of the most revered in the Russian Navy military decorations. All of them over 90, and with difficulty up the ladder they go back to the past. Although 75 years ago, it definitely was not as solemnly. Yes, and the dangerous Northern route to the Soviet Union, the British sailors were called "icy hell". Of all the convoys the luckiest was the first - codenamed "dervish". He was able to go unnoticed. The others fate was not so enviable. To disrupt the supply of Soviet Union, Nazi Germany threw the interception submarines, aircraft and fast warships.

John Laurie was involved in convoy PQ-18, the previous PQ-17, the Germans almost completely destroyed. The abbreviation PQ is the initials of an officer of the British Admiralty Peter Quilin. He was responsible for the caravans with goods which in the years of war, the Soviet Union was vital: food, weapons, ammunition. Total weight of these shipments of 4.5 million tons. 85 transport and 16 warships were lost. Over 3 thousand sailors were killed.

In honor of the anniversary for participants of an escort in Scotland has produced a special tartan - it is traditional that in ancient times, the Scottish clans used as a badge of honor. The event in honor of the 75th anniversary of the first convoy was organized by the Consulate General of Russia in Edinburgh, but money were allocated by Scottish businessmen.
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