Bathgate Procession & John Newlands Festival
Encyclopedia
The Bathgate
Procession & John Newland Festival is celebrated every year on the first Saturday in June and commemorates two events in the town’s history.
The town “remembers with grateful pride” John Newlands who bequeathed an endowment to the School board, which allowed free public education for the children of Bathgate.
Secondly The Marriage of Princess Marjorie Bruce
& Walter the High Steward of Scotland
in 1315. Bathgate formed part of the dowry.
Many towns in the Lothians have a local celebratory called a galaday or gala day, those of Bathgate and Linlithgow
are the most widely known
The Colourful symbols should be made from “Dottles” That is paper flowers made from Crepe paper and wire, a process known as Dottling. Some families opt for the non-traditional approach of using painted papier-mâché or cardboard
The Main Actors (Marjorie, Walter, The Abbott of Holyrood
and the Lady in Waiting) are expected to decorate their homes.
Officials judge the quality of the decoration of the houses and award commendations
The pageant actors follow in horse drawn carriages.
The flower girls follow on a decorated float
.
The procession usually contains up 12 pipe bands and brass bands, each school contributes a float and local businesses often also enter floats as do various clubs and other organisations such as the Scouts and Taekwondo club
Bathgate
Bathgate is a town in West Lothian, Scotland, on the M8 motorway west of Livingston. Nearby towns are Blackburn, Armadale, Whitburn, Livingston, and Linlithgow. Edinburgh Airport is away...
Procession & John Newland Festival is celebrated every year on the first Saturday in June and commemorates two events in the town’s history.
The town “remembers with grateful pride” John Newlands who bequeathed an endowment to the School board, which allowed free public education for the children of Bathgate.
Secondly The Marriage of Princess Marjorie Bruce
Marjorie Bruce
Marjorie Bruce or Marjorie de Brus was the eldest daughter of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots by his first wife, Isabella of Mar, and the founder of the Stewart dynasty. Her marriage to Walter, High Steward of Scotland gave rise to the House of Stewart...
& Walter the High Steward of Scotland
Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland
Walter Stewart was the 6th hereditary High Steward of Scotland. He was also the father of King Robert II of Scotland.-Biography:...
in 1315. Bathgate formed part of the dowry.
Many towns in the Lothians have a local celebratory called a galaday or gala day, those of Bathgate and Linlithgow
Linlithgow
Linlithgow is a Royal Burgh in West Lothian, Scotland. An ancient town, it lies south of its two most prominent landmarks: Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch, and north of the Union Canal....
are the most widely known
History
The event was started by the trustees of the Old Bathgate Academy in 1844 to commemorate the school’s founding. In 1924, the historical pageant included local young people playing the roles of Princess Marjory and Walter, High Steward of Scotland, was introduced.Traditions
For the last 14 years Balbardie Primary School has won all of the float competitions, many school have pulled out as Balbardie always win.House Decoration
The Houses of the actors and the flower girls are traditionally decorated with heraldic symbols on spruce according to a number of regulations. The exact proportions of any arch should match those of the Arches at the entrance of the Kaim Park Google Maps.The Colourful symbols should be made from “Dottles” That is paper flowers made from Crepe paper and wire, a process known as Dottling. Some families opt for the non-traditional approach of using painted papier-mâché or cardboard
The Main Actors (Marjorie, Walter, The Abbott of Holyrood
Holyrood Abbey
Holyrood Abbey is a ruined abbey of the Canons Regular in Edinburgh, Scotland. The abbey was founded in 1128 by King David I of Scotland. During the 15th century, the abbey guesthouse was developed into a royal residence, and after the Scottish Reformation the Palace of Holyroodhouse was expanded...
and the Lady in Waiting) are expected to decorate their homes.
Events
- Eve of the procession: Newlands Oration occurs at 20:00 and
Officials judge the quality of the decoration of the houses and award commendations
- 06:00 A lone piper plays outside the houses of the Pageant Actors
- 11:00 On the site of the “Auld Academy” The actors gather and perform a re-enactment of ceremony,
- 12:00 and then process through the town along with other participants
- 14:00 onwards various events take place all over town and children play at a visiting fairground.
- 22:30 Torchlight Procession
- 23:00 Fireworks display
The Procession
The procession is usually led by war veterans carrying a banner declaring that “Bathgate remembers with grateful pride”The pageant actors follow in horse drawn carriages.
The flower girls follow on a decorated float
Float (parade)
A float is a decorated platform, either built on a vehicle or towed behind one, which is a component of many festive parades, such as those of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Carnival of Viareggio, the Maltese Carnival, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Key West Fantasy Fest parade, the...
.
The procession usually contains up 12 pipe bands and brass bands, each school contributes a float and local businesses often also enter floats as do various clubs and other organisations such as the Scouts and Taekwondo club