Tread carefully on anniversary of Bannockburn

AFTER a successful clan gathering anchored in the life and muse of Robert Burns, it was inevitable that attention would soon turn on how and when to stage a repeat performance. Another national date to celebrate will soon be at hand: the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn. Organisers of The Gathering – which attracted more than 60,000 to Edinburgh city centre last week – reckon that 24 June, 2014, is the most obvious date for a second event.

"If we are going to have another event of this magnitude," says Lord

Jamie Sempill, director of The Gathering, "it's the date that jumps out at you, there's no two ways about it."

We agree. And we also fully support his caveat that planning needs to start early to take forward the lessons from last weekend's event and begin planning to ensure a 2014 commemoration builds on last weekend's success.

However, the organisers need to tread with some care. While this cannot be anything but an intensely patriotic occasion of which Scots will be proud, it is vital it strives to be representative of all of Scotland and not just a partisan, nationalistic part. Nothing would be more divisive and off-putting than a degeneration into an anti- English rant. This is an occasion that should be good-humoured and delivered with a lightness of touch to maximise support and inclusiveness.