VIDEO - Crowds pay tribute to a Scottish hero in Bishopbriggs

THE adventurous life of a Scottish hero was celebrated by hundreds of people at this year’s Thomas Muir Festival.

The week-long festivities attracted up to 1,000 people – celebrating the 18th-century political reformer’s place in Scottish history.

Muir was known as the ‘father of Scottish democracy’ and led a tumultuous life packed with courage, determination and adventure.

Highlights of the week included:

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* Turnbull High pupils delivering history papers alongside Glasgow University academics and local history experts

* Bishopbriggs Academy pupils directing and performing scenes at the Fort Theatre

* Entertainment from Fort Youth Theatre

* Turnbull High pupil Fiona Sweeney (S3) singing the ‘Ballad of Thomas Muir’, with performances from the S1/2 choir and S6 soloist Kara Conway

* Music night at the Fort – featuring Lewis MacLeod and John McLaughlin

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* ‘Wee Grannies’ bedtime stories at the Bishopbriggs Library

* Crafty ladies – a Creative Care open day at Brackenbrae House and the creation of a decoupage Huntershill House picture

* Comedy Night at The Crow Tavern

* Walking the Thomas Muir Heritage Trail.

Organiser Jimmy Watson, chairman of the Friends of Thomas Muir (FOTM), said: “It was a lot of hard work and at times I thought I had bit off more that I could chew!

“The night before the festival started was possibly the worst. At that point there is nothing you can do, but hope that you’ve done enough – that the message has got out there, that all the planning has been enough and that people will come out and support the festival.

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“I’m delighted with how the whole festival went and for all the hard work that everyone put into making it possible.

“From wee Mia who is only five and helped her mum Jennifer hand out flyers, to all the performers and speakers, to those who worked late into the night hanging lights. It was a truly great community event.”

Exhausted organisers are taking a break before thinking about next year, but already 2015 is shaping up to be a big occasion as August 25, 2015, is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Muir.

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