The 690th anniversary of the Declaration of Scottish Independence’s signing was marked in Arbroath yesterday, as a week of Tartan Day events began.
Glasgow artist Charles Anderson unveiled a commemorative plaque alongside his mural of the signing ceremony, on the platform at Arbroath railway station.
He was accompanied by members of the Arbroath Abbey Timethemes historical re-enactment group, playing the roles of King Robert the Bruce and members of his royal retinue.
The mural was painted by Mr Anderson in 1984 for the then Abbeygate Shopping centre and was almost scrapped after it was taken down in a refurbishment in the 1990s.
It was saved from the ‘skip’ and is now one of the first things to catch the eye of visitors arriving in Arbroath by rail.
Mr Anderson had not seen his work for more than 25 years and said he was delighted to see it was still in such good shape and had found an appropriate home.
The document, often known as the Declaration of Arbroath, stated Scotland’s case for self-determination in the face of English aggression.
It was written by Abbot Bernard de Linton of Arbroath Abbey and sent to the Pope on behalf of King Robert the Bruce and the Scottish people.
Seen as one of the earliest, most passionate statements of freedom, the document’s powerful sentiments have echoed down through the centuries and have inspired those striving to liberate themselves from oppression.