William Wallace’s Sword in Digby

The movie Braveheart, celebrated the courage and action of William Wallace, Scotland’s patriot who fought for Scottish independence in the early 1300’s. Another famous Scot, poet Robbie Burns, wrote an independence poem that referenced Wallace and his famous sword.

from the brochure “Homecoming Scotland 2009″ http://visitstirling.org

My dear Scottish grandmother, Flora Mary Riach Coutts Brown, used to sing Scots Wha Hae to me like it was a lullaby. She would toss back a shot of scotch whiskey and then emphasize the line “welcome to your gory bed or to victory!”

‘Scots, wha hae wi’ Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has aften led,
Welcome tae your gory bed,
Or tae Victorie!

‘Now’s the day, and now’s the hour:
See the front o’ battle lour,
See approach proud Edward’s power
Chains and Slaverie!

‘Wha will be a traitor knave?
Wha will fill a coward’s grave?
Wha sae base as be a slave?
Let him turn and flee!

‘Wha, for Scotland’s king and law,
Freedom’s sword will strongly draw,
Freeman stand, or Freeman fa’,
Let him on wi’ me!

‘By Oppression’s woes and pains!
By your sons in servile chains!
We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free

‘Lay the proud usurpers low!
Tyrants fall in every foe!
Liberty’s in every blow! -
Let us do or dee!’

When Larry and I read in our local paper that William Wallace’s sword was going to be shown in Digby for a few hours today, we just had to go.

Some councillors from Stirling, Scotland spoke and it was interesting to hear one describe economic problems in Stirling that are much the same over here in “New Scotland.” Things like young people moving away to the city for jobs, along with the resulting loss of shops and schools in villages. Local farmers going under as a result of cheaper imports; the attempted transition from a farm economy to a tourist place. But one of the most thought-provoking dilemas that he mentioned was the real estate conundrum. People often buy summer homes in and around Stirling because it’s only an hours drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh. This has driven the price of homes up which means that some locals can’t afford to purchase a home anymore. The once viable village becomes a dormitory for people who are only there for a few weeks a year and who can’t participate year-round in developing the community.

Many former fishing towns in Nova Scotia are practically ghost towns during the winter and many homes stand empty while locals have difficulty finding somewhere to rent. On the other hand, locals will also tell you that it is far better to have someone buy a place and fix it up, than to have it stand empty and go to ruin.

There are no easy answers or solutions to any of these dilemas. I wonder what William Wallace would have to say about all of this if he were here.