HISTORIC Environment Scotland (HES) is being asked if it will ban access to Arbroath Abbey in 2020 – the 700th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath – after it refused to allow indy supporters into Stirling Castle car park on their 500-mile march across Scotland because their presence was “political”.
Activists are already furious after it banned the All Under One Banner rally from Holyrood Park after this Saturday’s march through Edinburgh.
Now Gregg Brain, whose family was involved in a lengthy battle with the Home Office to remain in Scotland, has written to HES chief executive Alex Paterson, about the Arbroath anniversary.
READ MORE: Historic Environment Scotland refuses Yes walkers entry to Stirling Castle car park
He notes that HES is responsible for the site and, “stating the obvious”, on April 6, 2020, Scotland would be celebrating the 700th anniversary of the declaration’s signing, which he describes as “perhaps the most significant political act in this country’s history; attempting to have the Pope intervene in the governance of this island”.
Brain said: “By definition, any commemoration of this event, will also be an overtly political event. I note your agency’s recent very public stance ruling out political activities on HES sites. As such, your consistency and integrity means that I know you will at some point be announcing a prohibition of any celebration of the Arbroath 700th Anniversary on the site itself.
“Accordingly, an early announcement to this effect would be very much appreciated, as it will give the public the opportunity to give you feedback on your policy in this regard, as well as providing event organisers the much-needed time to change their plans.
“You may wish to consider ways to avoid the public relations disaster that your policy is building up for you. You may even reconsider both the policy and its execution on this occasion ... simply allowing access without comment might be a more reasonable response. I (and, I suspect, many others) look forward to a prompt reply.”
HES had not responded to a request for comment before The National went to press.
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