History - Celebrating the right to independence
Photo Crown copyright, National Records of Scotland Declaration of Arbroath
Celebrating the right to independence
F
or the first time in 15 years one of Scotland’s most historic documents, the Declaration of Arbroath, is to go on display this year as part of the 700th anniversary of its signing. The iconic scroll which asserted Scotland’s independence and right to self-determination is considered the most eloquent statement of the case for a nation’s claim to freedom produced anywhere in medieval Europe. The document, which has
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been credited with laying the foundation of America’s own Declaration of Independence - as recognised by US Senate Resolution 155 of 10 November 1997 - will go on show at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh from 27 March to 26 April 2020. The exhibition is part of a variety of events being organised by National Records of Scotland (NRS) and National Museums Scotland to mark the septcentenary. The NRS programme will
examine the Declaration, the context of its creation and its significance today, featuring talks by academics, historians and an artist, including Head of Medieval and Early Morning Records Alan Borthwick and the writer and historian Fiona Watson. National Museums Scotland will present a discussion with historians and archivists chaired by curator Dr Alice Blackwell of National Museums Scotland. A panel including Fiona Watson, Professor Dauvit Brown from the University of Glasgow and Alan Borthwick will explore the origins,
