History repeats itself with proclamation

THE election race has been in full swing for more than a week, but it was only officially heralded yesterday in Scotland's capital.

David Sellar, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, an ancient post dating back to the 14th century, performed the ceremonial reading of an official proclamation from the Queen dissolving the Westminster Parliament.

He was accompanied atop the Mercat Cross by other Officers of Arms, all members of the Royal Household.

The proclamation, which predates the union of 1707, is traditionally made three days after the dissolution at Westminster, representing the time that it used to be taken to travel from London to Edinburgh on horseback.