PROVOST JOHN Hulbert yesterday spoke of strong links between Scotland and Europe at an official lunch in Perth’s twin town of Aschaffenburg.

He has been accompanied to Germany by the Lady Provost his wife Sara, Councillor Jack Coburn and his wife Penny, and council officer Stewart Grant.

At the lunch organised by their hosts—which was also attended by representatives of the Blairgowrie and District and Vale of Atholl pipe bands and the Friends of Aschaffenburg Association—Dr Hulbert spoke of the importance he felt the twinning arrangement gave both communities.

“I believe that the friendship between our two cities is in good heart,” he said.

“The twinning between Aschaffenburg and Perth was part of the movement to bring the nations of Europe together after the second world war.

“However, long before the 20th century, Scotland was a nation with strong links to Europe. Initially these were with Norway and were a consequence of the Viking conquest of northern Scotland.

“The history and politics of Scotland’s relationship with Europe are very different from England’s.

“This has had a lasting legacy which I do not think is well understood outside of Scotland.

“And so the twinning between Perth and Aschaffenburg continues the tradition of linking the people of continental Europe and Scotland that goes back not 50 years but at least 500 years.”

Dr Hulbert thanked his hosts for their hospitality and said he could never have imagined that he would march along the streets of a German town, accompanied by the Oberburgermeister, at the head of a 70-strong pipe band consisting of German and Scottish pipers and drummers playing Scotland the Brave.