Below one of the most scenic backdrops in Scotland and in unusually fantastic sunshine, the Society of William Wallace met with the Strathleven Artizans from the King Robert the Bruce Heritage Centre in Renton to pay our respects to the armies of both William Wallace in 1297 & King Robert Bruce in 1307 who both fought and won their respective battles against the English. We were joined by a healthy crowd of around 50 fellow Scottish patriots and a few bewildered hill walkers.

Gordon Aitken, secretary of the SOWW welcomed everyone along and said a few words about the site before inviting Ken Shirra from the Knights Templar to open proceedings. He was followed by George Kempik vice-convenor of the SOWW who made a small speech (well 15 pages to be honest) about the Battles of Loudoun Hill. Gordon thanked George then read out a fantastic poem written by Stirling man Edward Torrence. Next we had some floral tributes laid by Patricia Clint on behalf of the SOWW & Morag Fairley on behalf of the Artizans. Gordon then asked if anyone would like to come to the mike and share their thoughts, first up was Duncan Thomson chairman of the Artizans followed by Morag Fairley.

Gordon then invited Ken Shirra back up to the mike to do the benediction before finishing off the day’s proceedings with a rendition of Scots Wha Hae. The highlight of the day was the two young men who held the SOWW’s banner. Attending their first commemoration were brothers Connor Paton aged 12 & Copper Paton aged 10, they were both beaming with pride but not as much as their grandad Donald Neill who had taken them along.

Special thanks to Donald Neill for video footage & Fearchara Photographysoals Fia for excellent pictures.