The Wallace Homecoming

[Mike1]

Last year was the 700th anniversary of the arrest, 'trial' and execution of William Wallace. As many of you know, a Scottish author, David Ross, set out on foot from Robroyston in early August, and walked to London, on the celebrated Walk for Wallace. On 23 August 2005, a large crowd joined Ross at Westminster, for a brief commemoration at the spot it is said Wallace stood, during his 'trial'. The throng then walked what is generally thought to be the route that Wallace was drug, through the streets of London, to Smithfield, the spot of the execution. A service was then held at St. Bartholomew the Greater Church.

From London, the Wallace coffin was moved back to the Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling, where it laid in state until 10 September, when it was moved to Lanark, for the Wallace Homecoming.

(Note - Some of these photos were taken by another individual, as I was part of the coffin processional.)

I move in some of the same circles as the fellows that were assisting David Ross in the Walk for Wallace events, and I was invited to take part in the rotational guard that was set up around the coffin, while in situ at Lanark. Some pals were outside the tent, posing for a photo and I thought I had ducked back behind the canvas, but not so -



There was a marker, with a plaque that was placed at the site the tent was located, which is thought to be the location of Marion Braidfute's home -



Early in the evening, we proceeded to the park, for a few words from David Ross and prayer from Ken Schirra, the Grand Prior of the Knights Templar Scotland. Then Ted Christopher took the stage to perform his incredible song, I'm Coming Home -



Ronnie Brown (formerly of The Corries) took the stage to lead us in singing Flower of Scotland -



As the song began to close, one of the event organizers shouted, "Look, a Saltire!" -



We then proceeded through the streets of Lanark, to St. Kentigern's Kirk. The man in the Templar robes, at center, is Ken Schirra, the Grand Prior -



At this point in time, the crowd in the streets was estimated to be approximately 3,000. As we were part of the coffin procession, we left the crowd on the street and made our way up the walk -



Approximately 18 of us were assembled in the church courtyard, as the pall bearers carried the coffin into the church archways -



After a very large (and very close!) cannon was shot off, there were flares lit in the church archways -



Another photographer caught the flares from where the crowd awaited us in the street -



I was so very much in awe, to have been able to take part in such a historical event.

[Mike1]

I'm Coming Home
Copyright Ted Christopher

I did not close my eyes for the last time
Under Caledonia's skies
With my good friends gathered all around me
To say their last good-byes
But I will not be forgotten
In the heart of every Scot I live on
Now it's time to fly the Saltire high
My spirit's coming home

I'm coming home
Back where I belong
I'm coming home
My Spirit's coming home

They tore apart my body
So I could not rise on Judgment Day
But what they did not realize
Is now I'll never go away
And I'm coming back to the land I love
And the people I hold dear
To Scotland, St. Andrew and freedom

I'm coming home
Back where I belong
I'm coming home
My Spirit's coming home

I returning after all this time
To Caledonia's skies
To the country we died for
So our nation would survive
Once again to stand beside
The people I hold dear
For Scotland, St. Andrew and freedom

I'm coming home
Back where I belong
I'm coming home
My Spirit's coming home

[mrpharr]

beautiful pictures. thanks for sharing them.

[Big Paul]

Awesome shots!!!

[MacHummel]

Mike nice pics
I can't wait for David to come back to fergus this year he is an awesome speaker I have all his books and I always have a ton of questions for him especially about some of my theories about the Templars Scotland , Wallace , and Bruce connections.

[highlander_Daz]

awesome pics Mike -Ive always wanted to meet David R Ross- I wish he'd stand for first minister theres not a truer patriot amongst us.