For ten days in early April, the Tartan Day Scotland Festival 2015 will celebrate Scotland and the Scots across Angus.
The Tartan Day Scotland Festival runs from 3-12 April. The programme features a fabulous mix of historical events, Scottish-themed menus, wildlife walks, fun days out, family activities, farmers’ markets, live music and, of course, the re-enactment of the Signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320, the history-changing event which inspired the annual Tartan Day Scotland Festival.
Among the many Tartan Day Scotland events happening at local museums and libraries is the DigIt 2015 Exhibition at the Gateway to the Glens Museum in Kirriemuir, which features Treasure Trove finds discovered locally. And for those who enjoy looking at Montrose and the surrounding area in days gone by, on Friday, 3 April, one of the always popular Kenneth M Hay Photography Days will be held at Montrose Museum.
On Saturday, 4 April, West Links Family Fun Day in Arbroath will celebrate the start of the summer season at this highly popular seafront attraction. In addition, Angus Farmers’ Market will showcase local food and drink in Montrose High Street, with a hamper of goodies as the prize in a free draw which is only open to shoppers wearing a touch of tartan!
Scotland’s traditional music and dance will be to the fore at the Tartan Day Highland Dancing Festival at Forfar’s Reid Hall on 4 April, while Forfar & District Pipe Band will be playing at the Cross in Forfar that day and also on Saturday, 11 April.
The Signing of the Declaration of Arbroath almost 700 years ago will be commemorated at Arbroath Abbey on 6 April, when entry to the ancient monastery will be free. Within the mighty sandstone walls, a host of family and historical activities will take place, including storytelling, tours of the abbey led by a Benedictine Monk, live music by Pictish drum and pipe band The Trybe and needlework demonstrations by the ladies of Scotland’s medieval royal court.
At 1320 that afternoon, visitors to Arbroath Abbey can watch the unforgettable spectacle of King Robert The Bruce and his nobles signing the Declaration of Arbroath under the watchful eye of Abbot Bernard of Arbroath, thought to be the author of Scotland’s most famous document.
Throughout the week of the Festival, there will be a host of Tartan Day activities in Angus, including, on Saturday 11 April, cookery lessons for all ages at Angus Farmers’ Market in Forfar and a natural history walk starting at the Rangers Base in Glen Doll, when golden eagles, cross bills, red deer and red squirrels will hopefully make an appearance.
For more information, and the full list of events, The Tartan Day Scotland Festival programme is available at www.tartandayscotland.com/whatson.
Caption: Arbroath Abbey Timetheme’s re-enactment of the Signing of the Declaration of Arbroath is one of the highlights of the annual Tartan Day Scotland Festival
