THE quango charged with promoting and caring for Scotland’s historic environment has said it is discussing with various bodies ways to mark the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath.

But Historic Environment Scotland (HES) would not be drawn on whether it would ban access to Arbroath Abbey in 2020 after it refused to allow independence supporters into Stirling Castle car park on their 500-mile march across Scotland because of their “political” presence. HES also banned an All Under One Banner rally from Holyrood Park following next Saturday’s march through Edinburgh.

The National told yesterday how Gregg Brain, pictured, had written to chief executive Alex Paterson, saying the declaration was “perhaps the most significant political act” in Scotland’s history.

READ MORE: Historic Environment Scotland challenged over Declaration of Arbroath anniversary plans

In a statement yesterday, HES said it was in the early stages of planning for Arbroath 2020, and had been in discussions with local partners around activities to mark the anniversary and its place in the history of Arbroath Abbey.

“While we have not yet received Mr Brain’s letter, we would like to offer reassurance that our role as the lead public body for the historic environment is to highlight and enrich understanding of Scotland’s history, particularly significant events with strong links to our properties in care.

“Arbroath 2020 will provide an excellent opportunity to explore the story of the Declaration of Arbroath, one of the most famous documents in Scotland’s history, and of the Abbey itself.”

However, Brain said this did not change the political nature of the declaration or its anniversary.

“To use an analogy from the Irish, their current behaviour seems to be neutrality, sure enough – but one needs to understand who they’re neutral against.

“As things currently stand, HES has a choice between integrity, and the cash.

“They can’t have both with their current policy.”