BATTLE OF FALKIRK COMMEMORATION
19/07/08

This was the 2nd year anniversary of the new Falkirk Cairn that was erected in Callander Park in honour of the fallen heroes from a by gone age this memorial was to honour the Scots that stood along side William Wallace at the first battle of Falkirk in 1298. The Cairn was erected by some local guys from Falkirk Gordon Aitken, Grant Williamson and a few others who helped to build the new Cairn in the park.
This year was the second year in a row that Strathleven Artizans where asked by Gordon and Grant to marshal the parade for which we where more than honoured and delighted to do.

The weather this year was bright and sunny with a light breeze keeping the marchers from getting too hot on the parade.
A crowd of around 300 people had gathered at the Kirk yard Old Parish Church to hear Ken Schira from the Knights Templers who started off the proceedings by having a speech, some prayers and the laying of wreaths at the grave of Sir John Graham, Sir John Stewart and Duncan Thomson Chairman of Strathleven Artizans had the honour of laying the wreath to the men of Bute, there after the parade lined up to march to Callander Park.
The Parade was headed by Gordon Aitken followed by the flag bearers and marshals, Denny & Dunipace pipe band and then all the other groups and societies including the Society of William Wallace, Crann Tara, Na Fir Dileas, Siol nan Gaidheal, Scottish Knights Templers,40 Bowmen of St Sebastian and Strathleven Artizans, made up the impressive looking parade as the local stopped to watch the kilts and trews and all the tartans march thru their town flags and banners blowing in the breeze, it certainly was an impressive site to see, on entering Callander park the numbers had swelled with people from the town following the parade up into the park where there was around about 100 odd people waiting on us arriving, once in the arena each society lined up in order that the marshal had told them to, then Ken Schira opened the proceeding with a short speech and the raising of the Saltire, this was done by local Cllr Angus McDonald.
With a lone piper playing Gordon and 2 standard bearers came over the hill were Gordon place the Wallace claymore in front of the Cairn this symbolises a cross and is used in the memorial service.
Ken Schira then led an ecumenical service of commemoration to the Scots as well as the other nationalities that fell in both battles. This was followed by the pipe band playing a medley of tunes, then Gordon Aitken gave a moving and fine speech he finish off with a new song that he wrote himself called Stand wi Wallace and what a song brilliant well done Gordon this guy is a cracking wee song writer his album will be out soon ( Check out his Teba Sky song on our website Brilliant ).
The following groups then laid wreaths at the Cairn --- 1298 Falkirk Commemoration Group, Society of William Wallace, The Men of Bute, Knights Templar, SNP, Siol nan Gaidheal, Na fir Dileas and the Camelon Local History Group.
There was one minute’s silence followed by the lone piper’s lament.
Robert Harvey of the group Siol nan Gaidheal gave a speech explaining the meaning of the Siol nan Gaidheal flag and the aims of group, this was followed by historian and writer David R Ross who gave a short speech to the assembled crowd on how our ancestors would have stood with Wallace at Falkirk as well as Bruce at Bannockburn which sent a nice shiver down the spine of the 40 Bowmen present.
The proceedings where brought to a close with Gordon singing Scots Wha Hae, then some prayers by Ken Schira followed by the removal of the sword with a benediction, Ken thanked every body for coming to hoped to see us again next year.
We then had photos and mingled with the other societies then the afternoon proceedings broke up we then headed off for some food.

The evening entertainment was held in the Camelon bowling club which was packed out the bands for the night were White rose who where excellent and had the large crowd up dancing the night away, we then had a fantastic band that we had not seen before this was their first gig with a new line up and boy did they go down a storm Firery Jack brilliant loved them their choice of music i.e. Alex Harvey band, pogues sex pistols, Rod Stewart and the clashed had me going back to my teenage years all these songs played in a Celtic style was magic they had the place jumping can’t wait to see them again.
A Big thanks to Gordon & Grant on a fantastic day and night and look forward to next year and for giving the Strathleven Artizans / 40 Bowmen of St Sebastian the honour of marshalling the parade again Thanks Guys.

Yours Jim Tannock