The weather stayed dry and fair for the Wallace Day Commemoration in Elderslie on Aug 22nd as hundreds of patriots gathered in Ludovic Square, Johnstone for the march to the Wallace Monument, led by the Tullibardine pipe band. Joining us on the march were several MPs including our guest speakers Mhairi Black, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South and Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop. The youngest MP elected to the House of Commons since the 1800's, Mhairi has become somewhat of a celebrity in Scotland and was mobbed by well-wishers who wanted to congratulate her and grab a 'selfie'. Mhairi was utterly charming and took the time to speak to everyone and smiled patiently through 100's of photographs. Acting as escort to Fiona and Mhairi throughout the march I now know how Madonna's bodyguard must feel.

Viceconvenor George Boyle was compere for the day, and after welcoming all those in attendance, invited Kimberley Ross and son David to lay a wreath in front of the monument. 10 years after David R Ross's epic Walk for Wallace, it was wonderful to see his grandson make his Wallace Day debut, carrying on the Ross legacy. Fiona Hyslop also laid flowers in tribute.

Our first speaker was Nick Brand, who has been a friend and supporter of SOWW for many, many years. Nick shared his memories of Davie's Walk for Wallace in 2005 and spoke of the tremendous sense of loss we all feel at the passing of David Ross and Duncan Fenton. He paid tribute to SOWW for finding the strength to battle back and continue the work that Duncan had started and assured everyone that SOWW is in very good hands under the current regime.

Lifetime Society member Fiona Hyslop is the first Government minister to attend Wallace Day and on behalf of the Scottish Government she paid tribute to the memory, life and spirit of William Wallace and spoke of the pride she felt in re-instating Scottish History in the school curriculum as Cabinet Secretary for Education and also the sense of achievement she felt when working with SOWW to see the return of the Letter of Safe Conduct to Scotland. I was a little bit star-struck in meeting Fiona for the first time but she was so relaxed, fun and friendly that I was soon at ease and thoroughly enjoyed her company and hope she will find the time to attend more of our events.

Convenor Gary Stewart said a few words regarding what SOWW had been up to over the summer months before another fine speech from Young Lions Convenor Abby Stewart who has worked so hard to make William Wallace accessible to children.

Our final speaker of the day was MP Mhairi Black who spoke of her lifelong interest in William Wallace and how inspired she was by a man who had gone from being an outlaw to a Guardian of Scotland, in command of armies on the battlefield. She said that as well as being a historical and cultural figure, Wallace was also a political figure as he fought not for a crown, land or wealth, but for loyalty, equality and to give the people of Scotland a voice and that it was his legacy that we were seeing throughout Scotland now, where ordinary men and women, like her, were finding their voice and standing together for the same cause.

Ted then closed the commemoration with "Scots Wha' Hae" and invited each and all to the evening 'do' at Elderslie Town Hall. This was the first year we have had the SOWW membership tent at the commemoration and I am delighted to say that we signed up 26 new members to SOWW. You are most welcome and we appreciate your support and we hope to see you all at Stirling Brig on Sep 11th.