A GROUP of pipers were able to mark a major milestone in Scottish history this week after their original plans to do so were cancelled by the coronavirus lockdown.
The Lowland and Border Pipers’ Society (LBPS) had planned to mark the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath earlier in the year with a competition.
Celebrations marking the 700th anniversary of the famous letter that prompted the Pope to recognise Scotland’s independence in the Middle Ages, including a large AUOB march, were postponed from April until next year.
Back in the spring the date was marked by online readings of the declaration and a film put together by Lesley Riddoch and Charlie Stuart.
READ MORE: New film celebrating Declaration of Arbroath anniversary goes online
LBPS convener Stuart Letford explained: “During the summer it became obvious to us that the restrictions placed on us all would continue and that the 700th anniversary of this document would go unmarked culturally.
“So, being one of Scotland’s leading cultural organisations, we thought it would be a good idea if a few of us simply went to Arbroath Abbey and played a tune that one of our members had written especially for the anniversary.
“We had a fantastic day today and our thanks go to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) for allowing us to do this. We’d conducted a Risk Assessment prior to our visit and on the day we were all socially distanced and observing official guidelines. It was a great day and a very worthwhile thing to do.”
The six members were joined by Scots language broadcaster Alistair Heather, who read the text of the declaration out in Scots.
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