King William the Lion founded the
Arbroath Abbey in 1178 in honour of the murdered
St. Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Declaration of Independence
Arbroath
Abbey hosted the most significant event in
Scottish history. On 6 April 1320 the Scottish
Declaration of Independence was signed by the
assembled Scottish nobility in Arbroath Abbey.
The Declaration was an inspiration for future
generations. The most famous quote is this:
For, so long as a hundred remain alive, we
will never in any degree be subject to the
dominion of the English. Since not for glory,
riches or honours do we
fight, but for freedom alone, which no man
loses but with his life."
