Arbroath Abbey Timethemes to Stage Its Declaration of Independence Celebration on Tuesday 6 April

Issued: 6 April 2010

Arbroath will return to its medieval roots on 6 April, when King Robert the Bruce and his Court meet up once again with the Clerics of the town's historic abbey - 690 years to the day since their most historic gathering.

The events, staged by Arbroath Abbey Timethemes, are the highpoint of the Tartan Day Scotland celebrations being hosted by several local authorities and lead by Angus Council.

The day will start with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Arbroath railway station by famed Glasgow artist, Charles Anderson DA RSW to mark the saving from the skip of the large mural now proudly displayed at the station, of the Signing of the Declaration of Arbroath painted by Mr Anderson in 1984.

Dr Richard Irvine, Chairman of Arbroath Abbey Timethemes said, "Mr Anderson has not seen his fabulous mural for 25 years and we are honoured to have him unveil the commemorative plaque to mark its return to public display, particularly on April 6, Tartan Day, the date of the original signing"

"There will be a short public ceremony at 12.30pm complete with King Robert Bruce and Abbot Bernard and other historic characters in colourful medieval dress, who will meet Mr Anderson from his train. The event is being supported by ScotRail and the Railway Heritage Trust, who will be represented by External Relations Manager, John Yellowlees and the Trust's Andy Savage.

In the evening, two spectacular new events are being held in the town.The public are invited to join a torch lit procession through the historic heart of Arbroath from Danger Point, up the High Street to the forecourt of the Abbey. Torches priced £3.00 will be on sale from 6pm at Danger Point and the people's procession will start at 6.45pm being lead by the Arbroath Branch of the Royal British Legion Pipe Band.

Dr Irvine said, "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 arrival of the barons of 1320 at the Abbey and the torches symbolise the light of democracy and peace expressed in the Declaration.

The final event of the day, "Declaration Celebration, A Celebration of Scotland Concert" starts at 7.30pm in the newly refurbished St Andrew's Church, directly opposite the Abbey.

"Our special concert is packed with amazing artistes drawn from the local area; it will be a superb evening's entertainment and something not to be missed. We have singers Alan Mowatt, Maggie Finlay and Danny Laverty, dancers from the Appolinari Dance Studio, pipers from the Arbroath RBLS Pipe Band, comedy sketches featuring Bessie & Jessie and Mark Masson, music from Ewan and Kerr Barrack and a presentation by P5 of Friockheim Primary School.

Dr Irvine continued, "The concert climaxes with a poignant re-enactment of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath when, on 6 April 1320, 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. We should not forget neither the creative greatness of the Declaration itself and our concert aims to illustrate this."

Dr Irvine noted, "These events are a community's celebration of a nation's declaration of democracy. It is a public expression of a spirit distilled and natured from its medieval Arbroath birth to 21st Century global maturity."

Tickets for the concert priced £3.00 are available from Turnkey Gallery, High Street, Wilbourn Insurance Services, Millgate, Arbroath and on the door on the night. Concert ticket holders may obtain a torch for the procession on production of a valid ticket at Danger Point before 6.45pm.