This year on the 4th of April we gathered at the traditional starting point the Kings Gate in Arbroath to march through the town to the Abbey to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath which was signed in the Abbey in the year 1320. This years march was well attended as per usual with members of Crann Tara,Siol nan Gaidheal,Strathleven Artizans and members of the public joining the SRSM all lining up together to march on through Arbroath. For once we were allowed to take the long route through the old fishing town to the main shopping streets of Arbroath then up and through the archway of the Abbey and round to the green for the speeches. We were led this year by a loan piper who did us proud, being up front and alone is no easy task but he carried it off .
On reaching the green we then were treated to some great heart rendering speeches.First off was a speech from Scottish CND regarding Trident being based on Scottish soil without the backing of the Scottish people.This you would think is not relevant to the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 but in a way it has. These weapons are in Scotland without the backing of the people or our government in Edinburgh.The Declaration was all about the Scottish people ruling Scotland and not outsiders ruling over us. Then we heard some Scottish poetry read by Kevin Williamson who also read Burns Parcel of Rouges. Adhamh MacLeod of Siol nan Gaidheal read the Declaration out to the gathered crowd.The speeches were finished off by Donald Anderson of the SRSM,it was then off to the Commercial Inn for Entertainment and refreshments.
We all crammed into the back room of the Commercial Inn to first entertained by The Tartan Army’s Ted Christopher who at times was joined on stage by our SRSM piper who once again did a fine job not only by playing his pipes but also the penny whistle and he sang not bad as well. Albannach played a set and had the room bouncing, playing with passion as they do. Ted came and played a second set which ended a great evening of entertainment. Thanks to all who attended and made it yet another Arbroath day to remember.

By Bruce Ogilvie