Plans to mark the 700 anniversary in 2020 of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in the town’s iconic abbey are under way – and include a request to return the famous Monymusk Reliquary as part of the celebrations.
Chic Grant, acting chair of Arbroath 2020, the charity which has been established to co-ordinate a programme of special events during the year- long celebration said: “In about 1211, King William the Lion gave the reliquary to the Abbot of Arbroath Abbey for safekeeping.
“It would be incredibly fitting for this immensely significant religious relic to come home to Arbroath Abbey in 2020 – and would considerably enhance the 2020 Celebrations.
“These celebrations have the potential to be a worldwide occasion, as indeed Tartan Day in America always is, and I am pleased to say that the project has already attracted international interest.
“This is an opportunity for the people of Arbroath to come together and celebrate what was a momentous time in our history – and share it globally.”
Reliquaries housed precious relics associated with Christian saints, and the Monymusk Reliquary, believed to have been made around the 8th century, is believed to have contained a relic of Saint Columba, one of the most important saints in medieval Scotland, however the casket is now empty.
Mr Grant also revealed that a central part of the celebrations will be a procession taking the signed Declaration of Arbroath from the abbey to the harbour.
He said: “The Declaration was placed on board a ship, which sailed to the Papal court at Avignon, and we hope to re-enact this important aspect of the event.”
The proposal has won the backing of Angus Provost Ronnie Proctor who said: “The Declaration of Arbroath and the Monymusk Reliquary are both intrinsically linked to the Abbey, and although the declaration itself is too fragile to be moved now, I think it would be entirely appropriate for the National Museum of Scotland to strongly consider this proposal.
“I believe that having the Reliquary back in Arbroath would highlight the hugely important role that that the town, and indeed the county, has played in Scottish history, as well as helping to pass on this historic legacy to future generations.
“It would also be a huge economic boost, not only in attracting visitors to the Abbey and the town, but I am certain that the benefits would be felt across Angus and beyond.”
