Aileen Campbell Welcomes the Return of William Wallace Letters to Scotland

Details

03 October 2011

Confirmation that historic letters carried by Lanark’s favourite son William Wallace are to be displayed in Scotland next year has been hailed by Clydesdale MSP Aileen Campbell. 

There has been a long-campaign for the letters to be returned to Scotland and Aileen has praised the efforts of the Wallace Society and the Scottish Government to have these unique documents put on public display.
 
An expert group has confirmed that it was most likely William Wallace had been carrying the letter from King Phillip of France at the time of his imprisonment and execution. 
 
While the Lubeck letter, which was sent by Wallace in the wake of his victory at Stirling Bridge, has been shown in Scotland previously, the 700 year old letter from the King of France has never previously been on display in Scotland, and following the breakthrough by the expert group, the documents will now be displayed side by side. 
 
Aileen Campbell said:
 
“This exhibition will be of tremendous importance on our perspective of William Wallace and its place in Scottish history. 
 
“I am delighted that the only two remaining documents directly connected to William Wallace will be on public display side-by-side in Scotland.   
 
“The Royal Burgh has a rich and close historical connection to William Wallace and it would be appropriate to consider Lanark’s role in the promotion of this period of Scotland’s history. If the exhibition ever went on tour provided the appropriate lighting and conditions were achieved, I believe Lanark should be considered as a fitting destination.
 
“I have written to the Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop to highlight Lanark’s importance in William Wallace’s life and to ask that she considers the role the Royal Burgh can play in generating a greater understanding of Scotland's history.”