Declaration of Arbroath to go on display in Scotland for first time in 18 years

Visitors will see famous pledge to fight ‘not for glory, nor riches, nor honours ... but for freedom’

The Declaration of Arbroath will go on display this summer (National Museums Scotland/PA)

The Declaration of Arbroath, which played a key role in the history of Scottish independence and inspired the rallying cry for ‘freedom’, will go on display this summer for the first time in almost two decades.

The 700-page document will be shown at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh for the public to view from 3 June to 2 July.

It is a 6 April 1320 letter from the barons and freeholders of Scotland asking Pope John XXII to recognise Scotland’s independence and acknowledge Robert the Bruce as the country’s lawful king.