City appeals to civic pride in bid to revive a medieval practice

IT is one of Scotland’s most ancient civic titles – dating back to medieval times when the freemen of the country’s most prominent communities were charged with guarding a burgh’s laws and customs as well as the town itself.

In return, the burgesses of Scotland’s towns and cities were granted lucrative trading privileges, often under Royal Charters. Their prominent role within civic life in Scotland began to fade and in many burghs they disappeared completely in the 19th century.

Now Dundee City Council has announced plans to resurrect the long defunct office of Burgess of Dundee as part of ambitious proposals to establish a new organisation to promote civic pride, relieve hardship and advance education in the city.

Lord Provost John Letford and six other leading citizens of Dundee have united to form the “City of Dundee Burgess Charity”. They are inviting native Dundonians, committed to promoting community spirit and civic pride within the city, to join their ranks – at £50 a time.

A city council spokesman said: “The seven trustees wanted to create a vehicle for doing good and promoting the city. And the City of Dundee Burgess Charity will only be open to those willing to become a burgess of the city.

“Anyone who wants to become a member, and therefore a burgess, must live or work in the city or have significant family or historical links with it; be involved in charitable works, businesses and the professions or community or civil life of the city and have demonstrated through such involvement a commitment to equality and diversity in the promotion of civic pride in or contribution to the community spirit of the City of Dundee.”

He added: “All members will have to declare that they will promote the interests of Dundee and its citizens; observe the principles of fairness, equality of opportunity and non-discrimination characteristic of those who have these interests at heart and deal justly with the citizens of Dundee and fellow burgesses.

“Individual membership fee will be £50 and will be valid for five years.”

Scott Williamson, the secretary of the City of Dundee Burgess Charity, said: “Through the enrolment as burgesses individuals will be able to promote the City of Dundee and pride in its people past, present and in the future through supporting charitable and social activities in the city.

He added: “The City of Dundee burgesses will enhance everyday life for those that we can help and encourage a wide spectrum of interest in strengthening community involvement in aspects of importance to Dundonians.

“Dundee is on the verge of a new and exciting future with, among other things, the V&A at Dundee, and the resultant rise in visitors it will bring, so this is an exciting time to be a Dundonian.”

The role of burgess in Dundee has been defunct for decades. But Aberdeen City Council still regularly admits burgesses at ceremonies at monthly meetings of the full council. At the start of the 19th century, when Aberdeen had a population of about 40,000, there were about 1,000 burgesses. .