Well, Wallace Day this year, on the 24th August, was a hard one for myself as it's the first year we have not had a night event but it was decision I'm afraid which had to be done as we could not justify the costs with the amount of people that turned up. Plans are afoot for next year, with meetings planned with the local communities so - fingers crossed.

As for this year, which for many who have been attending over the last few years the weather was outstanding and we could not have asked for better. The march was well attended this year, and a big thank you has to be said to the person who owns the house next to the monument who let us use his electricity and also had an extension lead which enabled us to use a generator for the sound system, leading to a better sound for the people attending.

The march was lead by the front by, as tradition states, the Convenor of the Society, Gordon Aitken dressed as Wallace, and also by a special guest who this year was Patrick Herman, one of our members, who made the trip with his lovely family all the way from Liechtenstein. The pipe band who followed behind were the Saor Alba Pipes and Drums band. They did us proud.

At the monument we were treated to wonderful speeches, expertly compered by Neil Lochiel, the first by Patrick Herman, who was then followed by our local MSP Tom Arthur, and a few words and songs by Ted Christopher. The wreaths were laid, accompanied by a piper. Our Convenor Gary Stewart then presented the David R Ross Annual Award to a somewhat stunned Nick Brand, for all his work for Scotland over the last 30 years, also for the work put in helping David R Ross in his Walk for Wallace in 2005, and finally for running the Society web site and making it the success it is now.

We were treated to a wonderful set by the Saor Alba Pipes and Drums and the final musical act of the day was the fabulous Clann an Drumma, much appreciated by all. We all said our goodbyes for another year - and bring on next year.
Gary Stewart