Following the launch of the programme for this year’s Tartan Day Scotland Festival, it’s clear that, from 3-12 April, Scotland and the Scots will be celebrated across the county of Angus in lots of different ways!
One of the Festival’s first major events will be the West Links Family Fun Day in Arbroath on Saturday, 4 April. This free event, which will include a visit from Animal Man’s Family Zoo, will mark the re-opening of activities at this popular beachfront attraction, with its mini go-karts, road train, pitch & putt, crazy golf, tennis courts, skate park and, of course, Kerr’s Miniature Railway.
On 6 April, Arbroath Abbey will host one of the Tartan Day Scotland Festival’s key events. Tartan Day At Arbroath Abbey will be held within the Abbey’s mighty sandstone walls and, to encourage people to come along, admission to the Historic Scotland attraction will be free.
“We are delighted to once again offer free entry to the Abbey on the 6th April,” said Douglas Wilson, Commercial Business Manager for Historic Scotland. “We’re looking forward to welcoming people through our doors as part of the wider Tartan Day celebrations.”
At 13.20pm, on the site of the Abbey’s High Altar, Arbroath Abbey Timethemes will recreate the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath on April 6, 1320 – the historic event which is the inspiration for the Tartan Day Scotland Festival. The signing will be attended by the great and the good of medieval Scotland, including King Robert Bruce, and will be followed by a needlework demonstration by the ladies of his Royal Court in The Abbot’s House.
Tartan Day At Arbroath Abbey will also feature a variety of family activities telling the story of the ancient abbey and the part it played in shaping Scotland’s history. Storyteller Sylvia Troon will bring the stories alive with her puppets, while a Benedictine Monk will show visitors around the ruins of the once magnificent abbey where he lived, worked and worshiped over 400 years ago.
Historic Scotland learning officer, Jim Tollerton, will reveal the fascinating history of Arbroath Abbey at a talk in the visitor centre and will also lead a guided tour around the ancient graveyard, final resting place of many of the town’s seafarers, merchants, weavers and monks. In addition, there will be live music in the Abbey Courtyard, including a performance by highly-popular local band Trybe.
During the Festival, there will be Tartan Day Menus at two Arbroath restaurants. Arbroath Smokies, Chips & Salad will be Dish Of the Week at The Bell Rock Restaurant, while nearby Sugar And Spice will be offering Scottish dishes featuring local produce, such as Smoked Fish & Bacon Ramekins, Chicken stuffed with Haggis & Whisky and Clootie Dumpling.
“The Tartan Day Scotland Festival has been embraced by the people of Angus and is now an eagerly awaited week-long celebration in our local calendar of events,” said the Provost of Angus, Cllr Helen Oswald. “This year’s programme is packed full of things to do and places to go and will enable local people and visitors to celebrate Tartan Day in style.”
For more information, and the full list of events, The Tartan Day Scotland Festival programme is available at www.tartandayscotland.com.
Caption: A replica of The Declaration of Arbroath is held aloft during the recreation of the signing of the historic document at the Tartan Day Scotland Festival 2014.
