The Pageant – 2022

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.

This Years Characters

King Robert the Bruce – Laura Henderson

Balbardie Primary School

Bower Girls – Evie Roberston, Hollie Thomson
Flower Girls – Ruby McBain, Anna Petrie, Anna Samuel, Aoife Stirling, Mazie Sutherland
Rainbow Girls – Florence Graham, Esme Law, Olivia Nisbet, Robyn Shannon, Ellie Lees
Royal Guards – Marley Gibson, Archie McCrone, Orlaith Stirling, Luke Thomson, Eden Smith

Boghall Primary School

Bower Girls – Erin Hynds, +1
Flower Girls – Kelsey Flemming, Elspeth Kelly, Eva Nelson, Clara Stainsby, +1
Rainbow Girls – Ella-Mae Steel, Cara Wilson, +3
Royal Guards – Missy Roy, Maisie Smart, +3

Simpson Primary School

Bower Girls – Isabella Darling, Katie Hutchinson
Flower Girls – Alex Bryce, Summer Gordon, Jessica Johnston, Ayiah Telford, Lana Warren
Rainbow Girls – Ellie Gillan, Ruby Henderson,Tillie Rodgers, Aayla Wood, +1
Royal Guards – Poppy Bowden, Alyssa McKay, Daisy Thomson, Ollie Murray, Shaun Montgomery

St Columba’s Primary School

Bower Girls – Klaudia Lis, +1
Flower Girls – Mollie Cambeiro, Poppy Dale, Julia Gniewek, Olivia Main, Luisa Rodrigues
Rainbow Girls – Pola Araczewska, Lena Janiszewska, Vanessa Wilczynska, Anita Prybyla, Kyla Bridegman
Royal Guards – Mayson Edwards, Weronica Gorska, Wiktor Schroder, Declan McCann, Andrew Cosgrove

St Mary’s Primary School

Bower Girls – Antonia Johnstone, Beth McCabe
Flower Girls – Jessica Doolan, Erin Lumsden, Isla McCann, Gracie Shaw, Freya Brown
Rainbow Girls – Anembom Loh, Kristiana Ramoule, Haniya Shahzad, Abigail Whittlestone, Lily McGoldrick
Royal Guards – Isla Campbell, Matilda Doolan, Isla Garft, Sophie-Kelly Gibson, Zackary Wagner

Windyknowe Primary School

Bower Girls – Ailis Reid, Kayla Walker
Flower Girls – Yasmin Cunningham, Lucie Ketchen, Eryn Mitchell, Konstancja Wesierska, Olivia Ong
Rainbow Girls – Emma Graham, Millie Gray, Robyn Liddle, Amber-Leigh Mitchell, Callie Stewart
Royal Guards – Angus Wark, Boyd Weir, Murray John, Fraser Welsh (Captain), Enriquie Ong

If you would like to come along and watch the Pageant, we invite you to join us on Saturday 3rd June at 11.15am at the Old Academy, Marjoribank Street. We look forward to a big audience this year!