Queen's archers asked to return silver arrow

THE Queen's ceremonial bodyguard in Scotland, whose members number some of the country's most eminent public figures, faces one of the toughest battles in its 350-year history after a town demanded the return of an ancient silver arrow.

The Royal Company of Archers have kept the 17th- century target-shooting trophy since they won it almost 200 years ago.

The arrow is locked away at the Royal Company's Edinburgh headquarters at Archer's Hall and makes a ceremonial return to the Borders town of Selkirk for just one day every six years, when the company's period-dressed bowmen come to the royal burgh to shoot among themselves.

But the Royal Company of Archers - who include Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the Tory peer Lord Lyell of Kinnordy, the Earl of Airlie and former Grampian TV chief Sir Iain Tennant - now have a fight on their hands after the local community council decided it wanted the arrow back so it can be put on permanent display in the royal burgh.

However, the 530-strong company rejected a similar request in 1835 and is likely to take the same stance this time round.

The 10in-long Selkirk Silver Arrow was commissioned in 1660 after a quarter-pound of silver was taken from a roaming gypsy and competed for locally, before being stored.

It was discovered by the writer Sir Walter Scott in 1818, who invited the Royal Company of Archers to Selkirk to compete for it. When one of their members won the trophy, it was taken to Edinburgh, where it has remained ever since.

Dr Lindsay Neil, vice-chairman of Selkirk Community Council, is now spearheading the battle for its return.

He said: "There is no doubt that the arrow belongs to Selkirk. It was commissioned by Selkirk and paid for by Selkirk.

"But we will have to persuade the Royal Company of Archers to give it back. I would like to re-start annual shoots instead of the one being held every six years and then only by the Company of Archers."

The history of the silver arrow pre-dates the birth of the Royal Company, which was not formed until 1676, when it began life as a private archery club. At that time, men were compelled under a royal decree to practise archery.

Dr Neil said: "Selkirk fully participated in archery practice and in 1660 commissioned a silver arrow to be fashioned in Edinburgh, to be competed for annually by Borders archers.

"The winner was obliged to attach a silver medallion inscribed with his name on to the arrow. There are nine original medallions attached to the arrow, dating from 1660 to 1674, attesting to this annual event."

Dr Neil said it appears the annual shoots ended in Scotland in 1675 when the country faced the prospect of a Jacobite rebellion, and the arrow was placed in the burgh's charter chest for safekeeping.

It lay there until 1818, when Sir Walter Scott, who worked as the local sheriff, unearthed it and persuaded magistrates to invite the Royal Company to compete for the trophy. They accepted, it was won by Charles Nairn and the arrow found its new home in Edinburgh.

Dr Neil continued: "Thereafter the arrow was competed for sporadically by members of the Royal Company of Archers, but there is no record of Borderers either taking part in or winning the contest from 1818 onwards.

"A claim for the return of the arrow by Selkirk in 1835 was ultimately rebuffed by the Royal Company of Archers."

That is the stance the Queen's bowmen are expected to take when they discuss the Selkirk request in March. It is thought they may agree to a replica being made, but will defend their right to keep the original.

Dr Neil has started the battle as part of Selkirk's regeneration programme and wants the arrow put on display in the town hall and an annual competition arranged. David Younger, secretary of the Royal Company of Archers, was yesterday unavailable for comment.