Ceremony for Kirkin’ of the Council ‘tinged with sadness’

PROTEST: Decision to downgrade annual Perth event to twice a decade causes anger

Councillors and high constables filled the streets of Perth yesterday for what could prove to be the last Kirkin’ of the Council ceremony for the next five years.

Perth and Kinross Council recently took the controversial decision to downgrade the 400-year-old ceremony to a twice a decade event, despite protests from politicians and members of the community.

Participants in the spectacle said they hoped the turnout would persuade the local authority to rethink the move and restore it to its annual place on the calendar.

Perth and District Pipe Band led the procession of high constables and politicians from the council chambers round to St John’s Kirk on a drizzly morning.

Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, Brigadier Mel Jameson, said: “Today we are seeing a full number of the high constables and the school children are well represented.

“It’s great to see the kids come to the Kirkin’ in this fantastic church we have here at St John’s which is one of the most important churches in Scotland.

“In my 12 years as lord lieutenant, I’ve had the huge privilege of attending the Kirkin’ and it’s an important ceremony for Perth.”

Charlie Gallagher, moderator for the high constables, said he hoped the council would reconsider their decision on what he called a “fantastic” day.

He said: “It was a great big turnout and it was great to see a big turnout from the councillors as well.

“We still have hope that the high constables will be able to turn around the decision and we’ll have a talk with the provost in the next few weeks to see if they can have a rethink on it.

“Many of these people here have been marching for 50 years so it’s a big thing for them.

“We don’t have that many events per year, so taking one of our main events away didn’t go down too well.”

The moderator said he had already gathered 200 signatures to have the ceremony reinstated as an annual event and expected to get around 350 more in the coming week.

Pete Wishart, SNP MP also attended the event which he said was “tinged with sadness”.

Mr Wishart said: “It was a wonderful occasion as always but tinged with a bit of sadness that this is the last we will see it for the next five years.

“It’s a unique thing for Perth and I hope the council will review their decision.”

“It’s a unique thing for Perth and I hope the council will review their decision.

PETE WISHART MP

High constables parade along Perth High Street.

Pictures: Angus Findlay. Top and right: High constables ready to escort Provost Dennis Melloy, pictured with chief executive Karen Reid, councillors and officials. Above, left: Perth and District Pipe Band lead the parade.

Moderator Charlie Gallagher, right, and David Cuthbert, vice-moderator.