Scots to re-discover New Scotland

The group will include the chief of police, fire chief, a Member of Parliament, representatives from the municipality, and business people from the Scottish city. “They’ll be in Nova Scotia for a week and in Digby for two days—June 29 and 30,” says Ian Russell, who laid out their itinerary during the Municipality of Digby’s council meeting April 14.

Russell, who moved from Scotland to Digby in 2004, was a member of the trade and cultural mission to Scotland by the Digby Area Board of Trade in October, 2006. “Our people definitely made a lasting impression,” said Russell, recalling that visit. He noted that entertaining the delegation from Stirling in Digby is an opportunity to strengthen both culture and economic ties. He asked council to consider hosting a dinner at the Pines for the Scottish guests.

Russell said there are local companies already engaged in plans for economic partnerships with the Scots.

According to Russell, the Scottish delegation will be bringing along a national treasure, the sword of Sir William Wallace, the character portrayed by Mel Gibson in the 1995 movie ‘Braveheart’.

The sword will be on display at the town’s and the municipality’s council chambers. Wallace used the sword during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the late 13th century.

Russell noted that the sword shown in Braveheart was not a replica of the real sword, nor was 5’6” Mel Gibson a replica of the real Sir William Wallace, whose height is reputed to have been close to seven feet.

The official Scottish delegation will be preceded in May by the visit of Scottish newly-weds Colleen Brisbane and Malcolm MacGregor, who took their vows on Feb. 29. The pair won a dream honeymoon to Digby, “Canada’s most romantic town”.