| Where: | Arbroath, Angus at the Abbey and Harbour |
| When: | Weekend near 6th April |
| Time: | 1pm for 13.20 start |
The Declaration of Arbroath was a document signed by King Robert I of Scotland and his barons, setting out the ancient rights of the nation and declaring its independence as a state; it was sent to the Pope in protest to the excommunication of Robert for his role in the Wars of Independence against their neighbouring foe in England, and in response the papacy revoked the excommunication and recognised Scotland as a distinct kingdom. Composed at Arbroath Abbey and dated 6th April 1320, the letter is believed to have been written by the Abbot of Arbroath, and has the seals of the Scots barons attached; three copies were made but only one survives today and is held at the National Archives in Edinburgh. The town celebrates this heritage with an annual Declaration Day near the anniversary, recalling the significance of the event both locally and nationally. Appropriately starting off at the Abbey, there’s a parade featuring copies of the Declaration, pipers, dancers, entertainers, re-enactors, community groups and dignitaries, which wends its way down the High Street to the Harbour following the route that the document took originally. Once there, the Declaration and a select company board a vessel decorated with flags to sail away into the open sea as the original did all those years ago. A craft fair, music and dancing and living history then follow on Beacon Green next to the Signal Tower.
Helpful Hints
In 2027 it should be on Sunday 4th April. The event always takes place near the anniversary on 6th April but varies a little in date- when we visited, 6th was also Easter Monday and the parade took place on the actual anniversary as it was a public holiday; because Easter moves date from one year to another this won’t usually happen. The parade sets off from the Abbey at 13.20 in a nod to the 1320 date.
There’s a modern Declaration of Arbroath monument next to the roundabout on Dundee Road. The Abbey is open free of charge on Declaration Day.
Arbroath is also famous for Arbroath Smokies, a type of smoked haddock, which is why you can see Smokie Joe in the parade!
Tartan Day on 6th April in the USA is inspired by the Declaration.
Click here for the Friends of Arbroath Abbey who organise the event : https://www.facebook.com/groups/847452193515355
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