History has been brought to life at one of Angus’s most famous landmarks as visitors from far and wide flocked to celebrate the 691st anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath.
Costumed members of the Arbroath Abbey Timethemes group staged events throughout the day and night on Wednesday to mark the signing of one of the most significant documents in world history.
Robert the Bruce himself was on hand at the red sandstone monastery, ably assisted by an assortment of monks and abbots, who filled visitors in on events of the past.
A pair of new events were added to the usual annual line-up, which also marks the beginning of Tartan Day celebrations. A concert, Declaration Celebration Shining the Spotlight on Scotland, was held at the refurbished St Andrew’s Church, which stands directly opposite the abbey.
Singers Layla Brown, Alan Mowatt and Dave Ramsay performed alongside comedy sketches from Mark Masson, music from Ewan and Kerr Barrack, and vocal accompaniment from Arbroath pianist Winnie Sangster.
Chairman of Arbroath Abbey Timethemes Dr Richard Irvine said, “Throughout the show members of Arbroath Abbey Timethemes re-enacted various scenes telling the story of the weeks leading up to April 6, 1320, when the barons and earls of Scotland gathered at the abbey in the presence of Robert Bruce to sign and seal a collective letter to the Pope affirming their right to be a free and peaceable nation.
“The letter, in the most polished and eloquent Latin, is believed to be the work of Bernard, abbot of Arbroath and chancellor of Scotland. The declaration is a classic example of the pen being mightier than the sword; a demonstration of diplomacy, an expression of a people’s desire for peace and democracy something we all should aspire to and an event worth remembering.”
Organisers linked the activities into Arbroath’s Year of Light celebrations, which have been taking place since February to mark the bicentenary of the Bell Rock lighthouse.
The public took part in a torchlit procession with the characters from the abbey, down the High Street to Danger Point and the North Sea.
Dr Irvine added, “We wanted to stage an event where everybody, young and old, could join in and celebrate the part that Arbroath played in shaping not only Scottish but world history.
“The procession echoes the great gathering of April 1320 and the torches symbolise both the light of democracy and peace expressed in the declaration and the guiding light of the Bell Rock lighthouse.”