The Pageant

At 11am on the steps of the Old Academy, on the first Saturday in June, Bathgate Bairns come together to re-enact a significant event in Bathgate’s History.

With the exception of Robert The Bruce, children of primary and secondary school age who attend a Bathgate school or live in Bathgate are invited to take part in the pageant as the principal and supporting characters. 

King Robert The Bruce’s eldest child, Marjorie was married to Walter Lord High Steward, 6th Steward of Scotland.  Part of the dowry included the Barony of Bathgate and the Key to Bathgate Castle.  The castle was in the grounds of today’s Bathgate Golf Club, but unfortunately there are no remains.

The re-enactment begins with the Captain of the Guard leading the Royal Guards in forming a guard of honour.  The Flower Queen and Rainbow Queens lead their girls through the guard and the Lady of the Court leads the Bower Girls to form a passageway up the stairs.  The Heralds announce the arrival of the Royal Party, with Lord Lyon reading his Proclamation welcoming everyone.  King Robert the Bruce thanks the people of Bathgate and with the help of the Keeper of the Keys, gives Marjorie and Walter the key to Bathgate Castle.  The Earl of Moray introduces the Queens, Lady of the Court and invited guests to Marjorie and Walter.

The Pageant ends with a blessing from the Abbot of Holyrood, in time for all involved to join the Procession as it makes its way through the town led by the Halberdier.

This Years Characters

Lord Lyon
Jamie McCabe

Balbardie Primary School

Bower Girls – Isla Kelly, Sophie Maclean
Flower Girls – Lyra Smith, Freyja Ward, Edith Rees, Elora Faichney
Rainbow Girls – Abigail Lock, Alyssa Sweeney, Emilia Hada-Shaw, Esme Donaldson, Bonnie Ross
Royal Guards – Lylah McNab, Riley Logan, Mason Haddow, Sarah Stewart

Boghall Primary School

Bower Girls – Charlie Duncan, Zoe Bainitabua
Flower Girls – Alice Domanska, Novah-Rose McAlpine, Olivia Ferris, Ailsa Wilson, Ava Anderson, Zoey Farrell
Rainbow Girls – Remi Murray, Lily Haggarty, Amber Goldie, Charley-Ray Fleming, Callie Gouck
Royal Guards – Max Barnes, Kyle Christie, Kacper Kantorski, Ceiladh Bennett

Simpson Primary School

Bower Girls – Hope Pirrie, Ruby Leslie
Flower Girls – Lily Synowiec, Olivia Hilson, Lilly Sibanda, Millie Handley, Iona Nugent
Rainbow Girls – Sarah Logan, Kamdyn Cserenyecz, Connie Burton, Isabella Downie, Freya Wallace
Royal Guards – Emilie Graham, Sadie Steven, Sajid Ghauri, Finlay Byron, Nathan Mairs, Hunter Ackhurst, Piotr Piatkowski

St Columba’s Primary School

Bower Girls – Sophie Main
Flower Girls – Anna Futaki
Rainbow Girls – Willow Still, Charley Currie
Royal Guards – Nathan Malone, Julia Gniewek

St Mary’s Primary School

Bower Girls – Caoimhe McGlinchey, Zuzanna Gladys
Flower Girls – Maya McKechnie, Skye McGregor, Chloe Wilson, Summer Docherty, Bella McGoldrick, Amelie Lynas, Maya Mohammad
Rainbow Girls – Calliesi MacMillan, Skye Miller, Maryanne Igbesoko, Rebecca Nagle, Elise Arthur
Royal Guards – Caroline Marshall, Nathan Eghosa Evbuomwan, Freya Brown, Emily Marshall, Abigail Whittlestone

Windyknowe Primary School

Bower Girls – Niamh Young, Olivia McGregor, Emily Waddell
Flower Girls – Robben Sibbald, Lacey Smith, Sophie Brown, Emily Ewing, Emma Bowman
Rainbow Girls – Afroditi Kalamakis, Lucy Wakely, Gracie Govan, Ellie Bostock, Carly McGuire, Lexi Millar, Emily Williams
Royal Guards – Eliza Bowes, Taylor Boyd, Rhianna Hutton, Flynn Tease, Mark Kean

If you would like to come along and watch the Pageant, we invite you to join us at 11.15am at the Old Academy, Marjoribank Street. We look forward to a big audience this year!