Arbroath Abbey in Angus, Scotland is not just a historic ruin. The Abbey was founded in 1178 (although not completed until 1233) by King William the Lion of Scotland as a memorial to Thomas Becket who had been his childhood friend and originally intended it as his own burial place. It was wealthy, thanks to royal endowments including the income from 24 parishes, a toft of land in every Royal Burgh, lands, fisheries, salt pans, ferries… The monks were given permission to set up a burgh, hold a market and build a harbour. But that's not what makes this place important in #Scottish history. The Declaration of Arbroath, a letter sent to the Pope, was a plea from the people of Scotland for the Pope to reverse the excommunication of Robert the Bruce. In the historic document the Scottish people reaffirmed their independence “It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom – for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.” - it's said to be a precursor of the American Declaration of Independence and it certainly affirms in no uncertain terms the independence of Scotland. Perhaps that's why when the Stone of Scone was returned to Scotland by some crafty students, they chose to leave it on the site of the High Altar at Arbroath Abbey where, in 1320 the assertion of Scottish nationhood was made in the #DeclarationofArbroath. Read more about the Abbey and Arbroath's other claim to fame on #LondonUnattached now. Link in my profile. #UNESCO #TayCountry @VisitAngus #VisitAngus #travelblogger #travelphotography #travel #TBIN #instagood #instatravel #instagramers #guardiantravelsnap #picoftheday #travellife #instatravelling #girlswhotravel #lifestyleblogger #sheisnotlost #travelinstyle #londonblogger

via Instagram