On Sunday 29 November East Lothian will host a day of events in and around Haddington as part of the Homecoming Scotland Finale Celebrations. The events will celebrate East Lothian’s role as the home of The Saltire, reflecting the flag’s journey from its semi-mythical birth to becoming the symbol of the Scottish nation at home and abroad.Legend has it than in 832AD on the eve of battle with the much larger English forces, King Angus of Scotland prayed to St Andrew.
The following morning as the battle was about to commence, King Angus watched as in the clear blue skies above the battlefield near the village of Athelstaneford a cross formed in the clouds. Taking this as a divine sign, the King vowed that if the Scottish forces were to be victorious, he would declare St Andrew the patron saint of Scotland, and make his cross, The Saltire, the flag of the Scottish people.
To commemorate this historic event, the day’s celebrations will begin (11.15am) when the army’s Golden Lions parachute team jump with the flag over the battlefield at the village of Athelstaneford before it is carried by horseriders through the stunning East Lothian countryside to St Mary’s Kirk in Haddington, where it will be met by school choirs and dignitaries.
The Saltire will then remain in the Kirk during the afternoon while, in the nearby High Street, a free street party that promises to offer something for everyone gets into full swing featuring many fantastic acts to be announced.
After the street party the festivities return to the Kirk for a ceremony which will include a celebration of Scottish music and literature featuring readings and performances, culminating in an address to the flag by a prominent Scottish figure
The Saltire will then be carried from the Kirk by torchlit procession to the High Street where it will be raised at the Mercat Cross signaling the climax of the evening’s event in the historic arena with a performance from the million album selling Scottish band Capercaillie whose unique fusion of Gaelic culture and contemporary sound has always stretched boundaries. With the vocal talents of lead singer Karen Matheson, who has been described by Sean Connery as having "a throat that is surely touched by God" their performance is sure to be a fantastic celebration of Scottish music and culture, old and new, more acts to be announced.
East Lothian Council is proud to host this Free event which promises to be a truly special celebration of The Saltire and its relationship with the Scottish people at home and around the world. To celebrate East Lothian’s special relevance as the historic home of The Saltire, each Saltire used in the event will be shipped to St Andrew’s day celebrations across Scotland and around the world on the 30th November.
Cllr. Stuart MacKinnon, East Lothian Council’s Deputy Leader, said: “This is an exciting event which fully places East Lothian as the birthplace of the Saltire and is a fitting finale to the Homecoming Scotland celebrations. I’m sure many visitors will join local residents to celebrate and enjoy, what I am sure, will become an annual event.”
Marie Christie Project Director Homecoming Scotland said: “Homecoming Scotland 2009 has been a very special year for Scotland and the Finale Celebrations across the country are a fantastic way to end this momentous year. We are delighted that The Saltire, an event which makes the historical connection between Scotland’s patron saint and the national flag is part of the finale celebrations.”