SNP demands Castle flags up Wallace death

Published on Tuesday 23 August 2005 11:56

NATIONALISTS today called on the British Government to fly the Saltire above Edinburgh Castle this week to mark the 700th anniversary of the execution of William Wallace.

Edinburgh Castle is an official "flag station" for the British Army and such a move would be the first time the Saltire has been flown from the highest point on the Castle since the 1707 Act of Union.

SNP MSP Christine Grahame said: "The spark which William Wallace ignited led directly to the Wars of Independence and ultimately recognition of Scotland as a free nation.

"Had he not done so then Scotland would almost certainly have been annexed as part of a greater England.

"I am calling on the Government to recognise Wallace's massive influence over Scotland.

"And specifically I am calling on the British Army to salute his military skill and ingenuity at defeating an army many times the strength of his own.

"It would be a fitting tribute to his memory and the inspiration it brought to the rest of Scotland to resist oppression and injustice."

She added: "A nation that chooses to forget its past has no future.

"And, separately, I am calling on Scottish ministers to acknowledge and formally commemorate Wallace's life and work by also establishing a permanent memorial to him at the Scottish Parliament."