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- Jul 20, 2002
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On Tuesday I had the pleasure and privilege of attending an event in London to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the judicial murder of William Wallace, patriot and warrior.
Most of you will have heard of WW from the 1995 Mel Gibson film Braveheart.
WW was betrayed to the English on August 5th 1305 by John de Menteith at Robroystoun. He was taken as a captive to London, tried at Westminster Hall, then taken to Smithfield Market where he was hanged, drawn and quartered on August 23rd 1305.
The Scots author David Ross took it upon himself to walk the ~400 mile route from Robroystoun to London to celebrate Wallace's life. He arranged a march so that the public could accompany him on the last 6 miles, the path along which WW was taken to his execution. David's site can be seen here, with more detail:
http://www.walkforwallace.com/
I travelled to London by train with my father-in-law and a mate. We were all in kilts, and the day started when a lady from Texas (of all places) commented on how nice we looked! (I had to agree, of course...)
The Saltire in front of the Palace of Westminster and the London Eye.
The weather couldn't have been better and spirits were high as the march assembled at Westminster. By the time we set off, the crowd was in the hundreds.
Music was provided by the Alaska Highlanders (!)
Numerous passers-by asked me questions about the event, although the sound of pipes and drums might have meant that the 726th one who - having just been passed by the huge banner of the Society of William Wallace and a ceremonial coffin - might have thought that they heard me tell them it was for Hanukkah...
The 6 miles passed swiftly. We formed up at the plaque in Smithfield that marks the spot where WW died, then the 300 programme-holders entered St. Bartholomew's church for a moving service to honour WW.
The casket was piped in to the haunting air The Flowers of the Forest. That set the tone for an emotional 90 minutes. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried, especially when the Gaelic choir sang Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh (Lament for Red Iain), and An Innis Aigh (The Beloved Isle).
After the service, we marched the coffin (now containing hundreds of mementoes, keepsakes, sprigs of heather and other remembrances) to a hall, where a party started! I must confess that I, too, moistened my lips from a schooner of sherry...
Me in front of the ceremonial casket, with the honour guard
Entertainment was provided by, among others, Clann an Drumma, "tribal" Celtic/Pictish pipes & drums band. They were superb. Their rendition of The Gael from the soundtrack of Last of the Mohicans made the hair on my neck stand up. They're touring the USA soon. Go and see them.
Various pipers played, including the piper to the Prince of Albany, the current Stewart Pretender to the throne of England!
At the party, I was delighted to meet the beautiful and charming Mhairi Calvey, who played the young Murren in Braveheart. Remember that sweet scene in Braveheart where young WW is beside his father's grave, and the young girl plucks a thistle and hands it to him? That's Mhairi.
A great day to remember a great man.
maximus otter
Most of you will have heard of WW from the 1995 Mel Gibson film Braveheart.
WW was betrayed to the English on August 5th 1305 by John de Menteith at Robroystoun. He was taken as a captive to London, tried at Westminster Hall, then taken to Smithfield Market where he was hanged, drawn and quartered on August 23rd 1305.
The Scots author David Ross took it upon himself to walk the ~400 mile route from Robroystoun to London to celebrate Wallace's life. He arranged a march so that the public could accompany him on the last 6 miles, the path along which WW was taken to his execution. David's site can be seen here, with more detail:
http://www.walkforwallace.com/
I travelled to London by train with my father-in-law and a mate. We were all in kilts, and the day started when a lady from Texas (of all places) commented on how nice we looked! (I had to agree, of course...)
The Saltire in front of the Palace of Westminster and the London Eye.
The weather couldn't have been better and spirits were high as the march assembled at Westminster. By the time we set off, the crowd was in the hundreds.
Music was provided by the Alaska Highlanders (!)
Numerous passers-by asked me questions about the event, although the sound of pipes and drums might have meant that the 726th one who - having just been passed by the huge banner of the Society of William Wallace and a ceremonial coffin - might have thought that they heard me tell them it was for Hanukkah...
The 6 miles passed swiftly. We formed up at the plaque in Smithfield that marks the spot where WW died, then the 300 programme-holders entered St. Bartholomew's church for a moving service to honour WW.
The casket was piped in to the haunting air The Flowers of the Forest. That set the tone for an emotional 90 minutes. I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried, especially when the Gaelic choir sang Tuireadh Iain Ruaidh (Lament for Red Iain), and An Innis Aigh (The Beloved Isle).
After the service, we marched the coffin (now containing hundreds of mementoes, keepsakes, sprigs of heather and other remembrances) to a hall, where a party started! I must confess that I, too, moistened my lips from a schooner of sherry...
Me in front of the ceremonial casket, with the honour guard
Entertainment was provided by, among others, Clann an Drumma, "tribal" Celtic/Pictish pipes & drums band. They were superb. Their rendition of The Gael from the soundtrack of Last of the Mohicans made the hair on my neck stand up. They're touring the USA soon. Go and see them.
Various pipers played, including the piper to the Prince of Albany, the current Stewart Pretender to the throne of England!
At the party, I was delighted to meet the beautiful and charming Mhairi Calvey, who played the young Murren in Braveheart. Remember that sweet scene in Braveheart where young WW is beside his father's grave, and the young girl plucks a thistle and hands it to him? That's Mhairi.
A great day to remember a great man.
maximus otter
