Moray MSP Richard Lochhead welcomes Royal Mail decision to mark Declaration of Arbroath – a 700-year-old document stressing Scottish independence

MORAY’S MP has welcomed the decision to issue a sheet of stamps to mark the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath.

Richard Lochhead wrote to the Chief Executive of the Royal Mail last month to ask if there were plans to commemorate the historic document.

In his letter Mr Lochhead pointed out that stamps has been released to mark the anniversaries of both the Magna Carta and the Battle of Hastings.

At the time he was told there were no current plans.

However the Royal Mail will now create a stamp sheet which will feature four Scottish definitive stamps.

Mr Lochhead said: “I’m pleased that Royal Mail has confirmed it will commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, with a special stamp sheet.

“This was something that was first drawn to my attention by the Moray Stamp Club, as some of their members quite rightly felt that that this historic event should be commemorated.

“The Declaration of Arbroath is a unique document that is an iconic part of Scotland’s history and releasing a stamp sheet to mark its anniversary seems fitting.”

The Declaration of Arbroath is a letter in Latin submitted to Pope John XXII, dated April 6, 1320.

It was written with the intention of confirming Scotland’s status as an independent state.

Generally believed to have been penned by the Abbot of Arbroath, it was sealed by 51 magnates and nobles.

It is the sole survivor of three such letters – one signed by Robert the Bruce, the other by a group of four Scottish bishops.

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