Glorious sunshine greeted the patriots who attended this years Wallace day commemoration in the Elderslie village hall as they assembled for the start of what was to become a fantastic event.
In keeping with this being the year of the Homecoming this year march was indeed an international one, in addition to the folk from the 4 corners of Scotland there were visitors from England, Italy, America, Canada and Russia.

The parade mustered at 2.00pm for the 2.30 start from Ludovic sq in Johnstone en-route to the Wallace Monument in Elderslie.
A crowd of approx 200-250 had gathered in the square where the march was led off by the Kilbarchan Pipe Band followed by the various other societies like The Society of William Wallace, Crann Tara, Siol nan Gaidheal, Knight Templar’s, 1820 society, Paisley tartan Army and Strathleven Artizans ( apologises if I missed any groups out).
A small group had gathered at the Monument waiting for the march to come to a conclusion. Then David Ross from The Society of William Wallace got the speeches under way, thanking all the patriots who had came along to honour one of Scotland greatest hero’s this was followed by speeches from Malcolm McNeil and Ken Shira (Knight Templar’s) both made great speeches this was then followed by Ted Christopher who grew up in the shadow of the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle telling us about the history he got at school i.e. Nay Scottish history !!! he then sang Scot’s wha hae magic !!.
We then had the laying of the wreath at the Monument, before fore closing the ceremony a cracking gesture by big Davy Ross who asked Hugh McDonald to step forward and introduced him to the people present there.
Hugh who will be 80 this year has NOT MISSED a Wallace day event for 63 years which is pretty amazing.

The next 3-4 hours were spent catching up with old friends and making some new ones back at the village hall.
After a lovely Chinese meal it was time to go back to the hall for the evening’s main event.

Ted Christopher got the night of to a flyer he soon had the place rocking by 8.00pm the hall was pretty full the atmosphere was fantastic it was the best atmosphere I have experienced at Elderslie.
The visitors from abroad were certainly having a ball but they hadn’t seen anything yet after the raffle which had a fair amount of prizes, we then had Albannach who once again raise the bar in entertainment a fantastic 1st set the hall was buzzing.
With me suffering from a trap nerve in my back and my wife early start on Sunday we had to cut short our night and had to leave at 10.30pm, it never fails it always the best nights you have to leave early.

The party was in full swing when we left and by all accounts Albannach and Ted’s second sets were better then the 1st.
So a BIG well done to the Society of William Wallace, David Ross, Ted Christopher, Albannach and all the other Societies and folk for making this Wallace day certainly the best one I have been too.

Yours in Scotland Jim Tannock.