The day was dry, but extremely windy as we gathered at Falkirk Trinity for the march off to the cairn. After the customary laying of the wreaths in the churchyard to Sir John the Graeme, Sir John Stewart of Bonkyll and the Men of Bute, we formed up behind the colour party of Gordon, Paul and Fiona, and marched off to the stirring sounds of the Uphall Station Pipe Band down through Falkirk High Street. Among our number that day were contingents from The Society of William Wallace, The Scottish Knights Templar, Camelon History Society, Siol Nan Gaidheal, Na Fir Dileas, Battles of Falkirk Commemoration Society, and local SNP branches, along with patriots out for the day, we made our way with a crowd forming as usual to watch the parade.

On arrival at the park. Ken Shirra, our accomplished M.C., welcomed all in attendance, before inviting Jean Fenton to raise the saltire. It must have been a poignant moment for Jean as Duncan was the first person to raise that same saltire at the cairn’s inauguration back in 2007. Thank you Jean, and I hope it brought back some fond memories. To the sound of "Hey Tuttie Tatie", our piper Alex Scullion piped the colour party over the hill to the cairn where Gordon emplaced the sword as a cross after delivering his usual salute to our ancestors who died that day.

There followed an opening prayer, a bible reading, and prayer of remembrance to the dead by Ken before the mic was handed over to one Mr Ted "Better than Elvis" Christopher who, as always, delivered a fine speech and songs. "I’m Coming Home" always sends shivers down my spine and this time was no different. We were then treated to a fine medley by the Uphall Station Band, before the wreath laying ceremony, with floral tributes from The Society of William Wallace, Scottish Knights Templar, Falkirk SNP, Battles of Falkirk commemoration society, and "The Bairns O' Falkirk". We then bowed our heads and dipped our banners for a one minute silence to the fallen, which was impeccably observed, after which we were then played an outstanding lament by Chris, the Na Fir Dileas piper. The mic was handed to our last speaker for the day. Mr John McNally, MP for Falkirk who gave us a fine and often humorous speech about life as an SNP minister at Westminster, and of how some of the people of England were warming to the SNP - great stuff John!

We then sang the closing anthem "Scots Wha' Hae" led by Gordon Aitken, before the closing prayer by Ken. We finished off with the retiral of the sword as a cross by the colour party, and the benediction and invite to return one year hence by Ken, who then invited everyone back to the Cladhan hotel for a social gathering. After an hour or two back at the Cladhan, we found our singing voices and were treated to a couple of rousing bodhran tunes by George Thom. Fiery Jack fans rejoice! They’re coming back louder and better than ever.

To everyone who made it along, thank you so very much. The best sight in the world is to see a host of saltires blowing in the wind, while listening to the sound of the pipes and drums in yir hame toon. Haste ye back!

 

Gordon Aitken S.O.W.W.