Saturday August 21st 2010, and I had the privilege to walk with a large group of Artizans on the annual Wallace march, a proud and happy day, and one that brought back so many memories.

I was one of those Scottish children lucky enough to be taught our country’s history from an early age. My father made sure that I was brought up on all the old stories of Wallace and Bruce, he took me to Elderslie and Bannockburn, Dumbarton Castle, Stirling and Culloden. There is a certain type of thin, strong Scotsman’s face that brings him back to me and I could see him in the faces of some of the older men present yesterday.

The last time I was on the Wallace March was in 1985 with my three-year-old daughter in her pram, and the number of children present yesterday delighted me. The crowd was a representative section of Scottish society – young, old, able-bodied and some whose health was far from perfect – all there to honour Wallace and Scotland. The songs and speeches were moving and I was glad to see Jimmy Reid’s name honoured on the route.

Tommy and I have been with the Artizans for a relatively short time. It is our joy and privilege to be Bowmen and as I walked in the King’s retinue yesterday I knew that I was in the place that I was meant to be. I feel that I’ve come home.

Elspeth Crocket.