A smaller group of participants than usual took part in the short parade to Lanark Cross to mark the anniversary of the Braveheart's martyrdom in 1305.

At almost the last minute Stonehouse Pipe Band agreed to go along to play at Saturday's event, pipe bands being at a premium as their national championships were underway.

At the Cross, this year's Guardian's Address was given by North Lanarkshire Council member Clare Adamson and the event was MC'd by her South Lanarkshire Council colleague Ian Gray.

The gathering joined in with John Allan and Bill Beattie — both participants in the first parade in 1984 — in the singing of 'Scots Wha Hae'.

Several wreaths were left in memory of the great Scottish hero who began his fight for self-determination for his country in Lanark, reputedly at the old St Kentigern's church in the cemetery, from where the parade to his memorial stone near the Cross set out.

The organisers of the event said that, despite many snags which beset this year's parade, they were content that the tradition had been kept going.

One of the organisers, Tom Ashburn said: "It's just a shame William himself couldn't see the ceremony as his statue was covered in scaffolding.

"Next year is the 25th anniversary of the Wallace Day commemoration and we are planning something much bigger to mark that important milestone."

Happily, this year's ceremony was not beset with the controversy surrounding last year's when allegations of anti-English sentiments being expressed during it were made — charges strongly rejected by the organisers.