Delegation promotes Ulster Scots links

Dr David Hume is a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Ulster Scots Academy and was part of a three-man delegation which visited Scotland to explore potential for links with academics, institutions and community groups.

Dr Bill Smith, chairman of the Ministerial Group, and Dr. Ivan Herbison were also on the delegation, which met with academics and Scots language enthusiasts, community activists from Hamilton and Dumfries and had the opportunity to view some of the modern technology which will grace the new Bannockburn Centre at Stirling, due to open in 2014.

The delegation also visited the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh.

The local man said the visit had been planned for some time and had resulted in meaningful contacts.

“We have met a range of academics and individuals and hope this will be on ongoing conversation aimed at developing links with Scotland,” he said.

“The Bannockburn briefing and that for a Bruce trail in Dumfries and Galloway was particularly pertinent given the 700th anniversary of Robert the Bruce’s victory at Bannockburn and also the anniversary of Edward Bruce’s invasion of Ireland in 1315, for which Larne was a bridgehead,

“The MAGUS group is currently funding a research project on the Bruce connection with Ulster and this will be very timely given these important anniversaries. It is hoped that there will be cultural tourism potential through this connection, and we await the results of the study with interest,” he said.