IT saddened a lot of Scots and lovers of Scottish history everywhere when most of the 700th anniversary celebrations for the Declaration of Arbroath had to be cancelled last year because of Covid-19.
Now, a new exhibition is set to re-tell the story of Scotland’s own Declaration of Independence as part of the 700(+1) year commemorations of the most iconic document in Scotland’s history. Opening today at the newly refurbished visitor centre in the grounds of Arbroath Abbey, the exhibition features 50 historic artefacts, telling the story of the abbey and its key role in Scottish history.
The Declaration was sent in 1320 from Arbroath Abbey to Pope John XXII by Scotland’s barons, asking the Pontiff to recognise Robert the Bruce as the lawful King of Scots.
Exploring the history of the abbey from its founding in 1178 to the present day, the new exhibition draws upon an engaging mix of technology and traditional crafts.
READ MORE: Town to be covered with flags to celebrate Declaration of Arbroath anniversary
This includes an animated film on the Declaration and its reception by the Pope, an interactive console providing biographies of each of Scotland’s barons who added their names to the document, and a digital reconstruction of the abbey as it would have been at the time of the Declaration. Included in the exhibition is the new Arbroath Tapestry, handmade by local embroiderers to celebrate the Declaration’s 700th anniversary and designed by East Lothian artist Andrew Crummy, the man behind the Great Tapestry of Scotland.
Other key highlights from the new exhibition include a new facsimile of the surviving Declaration of Arbroath created by the internationally renowned craftsman, David Frank. This was commissioned by National Records of Scotland (NRS) and donated to the people of Arbroath.
There is a marble tomb effigy of King William I, the Lion, commissioned by King Robert the Bruce, which provides a material link between two of the central characters in the abbey’s story – William, who founded the abbey and Robert, on whose behalf the Declaration of Arbroath was sent.
Abbey medieval items displayed for the first time included arrowheads from the Wars of Independence and items used daily by the monks who lived there.
Alex Paterson, chief executive of Historic Environment Scotland (HES), said: “We are delighted to see this new exhibition open and re-tell the key role Arbroath played in the story of Scotland’s rich history.
“The investment HES has made in the visitor centre refurbishment has transformed it into a state-of-the-art space where visitors can immerse themselves in this new interpretation offer and enjoy these artefacts and their connection to the abbey, the town, and the part it played in Scotland’s history.”
Visits need to be pre-booked on www.historicenvironment.scot
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