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Issued:19 October 2001

Arbroath Welcomes Robert The Bruce

A NEW statue in Arbroath commemorates one of the most important moments in the history of Scotland.

The bronze sculpture depicts Robert the Bruce and Bernard De Linton holding aloft the famous Declaration of Arbroath.

At a dedication ceremony Angus Provost Mrs Frances Duncan said she was delighted that the town had another top visitor attraction to join the newly opened Arbroath Abbey Visitor Centre.

Mrs Duncan added: "Arbroath gave its name to the famous Declaration of 1320, when the nobles of Scotland affirmed their independence from England and their support for Robert the Bruce as their King.

"Thanks to the effective partnership of Scottish Enterprise Tayside and Angus Council, this new sculpture will emphasise Arbroath's status as the birthplace of Scottish identity and nationhood.

"Indeed the arrival of this stunning statue in Arbroath, is well timed as it coincides with the opening of a conference in the town on Saturday, which brings together a variety of distinguished speakers to discuss the Declaration and its huge impact across the world."

Ian McMillan, chairman of Scottish Enterprise Tayside, said, "The new sculpture is clearly a major boost for Arbroath, providing a fitting emblem of the town's heritage and a major new attraction for visitors.

"With our partners at Angus Council we have done a lot of work on a co-ordinated programme of physical improvements culminating in the new Abbey visitor centre to make Arbroath an even better place for people to visit.

"Tourism has always been important to Arbroath and we believe the sculpture along with the other recent developments will create substantial economic benefits in the years to come."

Renowned artist David Annand designed the bronze sculpture and it was produced at the Powderhall Foundry in Edinburgh before making the journey to Arbroath.

The statue was designed to be as realistic as possible with the artist using contemporary accounts to ensure Robert the Bruce's appearance and clothing were authentically reproduced.