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Vikings storm Holyrood

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By Fiona Reid
Annan and Eskdale
Vikings storm Holyrood

VIKINGS invaded the Scottish Parliament today calling for 1000 year old treasures to be returned to Galloway where they were found and not kept in Edinburgh by the National Museums.

The Galloway Viking Hoard (GVH) Campaign wants to see the finds finally displayed in a dedicated exhibition space at a new gallery in Kirkcudbright where they would have pride of place, while boosting tourism in the area.
Their petitions have attracted more than 5000 signatures and there have been hundreds of messages of support from across the country and from overseas.
A letter backing the campaign has been signed by the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry KBE, Dame Barbara Kelly DBE FRIAS, Sir Alex Fergusson, Sir Malcolm Ross GCVO, Sir John Thomson GCMG, Richard Arkless MP and Professor E J Cowan FRSE.
The petition calls on Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP to help ensure the hoard returns home to Galloway.
Campaign chair Cathy Agnew said: “The message from Galloway, Scotland and around the world is very clear – the hoard was buried in Galloway for safekeeping 1000 years ago and that is where its home should be.
“We have huge support from the general public, academics, politicians of all parties and many others. It would be a travesty if their voices were ignored.”
The hoard was discovered at an undisclosed location in Galloway by a metal detectorist in 2014. It includes more than 100 gold and silver objects, including a unique gold bird-shaped pin, an enameled Christian cross, decorated Anglo-Saxon brooches, armbands and an engraved Carolingian silver vessel. The items are thought to come from across Europe – there are even fragments of Byzantine silk.
A vital meeting takes place on Thursday at which the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel (SAFAP) is due to make its final recommendation on the two bids for the hoard – one for its home to be in Kirkcudbright and the other for it to be held by National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh.

FREE PICTURE: Vikings Invade Edinburgh with Petition to Save Galloway Hoard, Tue 21/03/2017:Thousands call on Culture Secretary to help ensure treasures have their home in Kirkcudbright – near to where they were buried 1,000 years ago.Vikings joined campaigners at the Scottish Parliament to call for 1,000-year-old treasures to be returned to Galloway where they were found and not kept in Edinburgh by the National Museums. A petition, handed in at the Scottish Parliament, has attracted more than 5,000 signatures and calls on Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP to help ensure the hoard returns home to Galloway. Pictured are vikings from the Regia Anglorum (correct) historical re-enactment group Connor Milton (left), Louisa Sanderson (right) and Jen Cresswell (cdntre). www.vikinggallowayhoard.comMore information from: Matthew Shelley, PR consultant for - 07786 704 299 or Matthew@ScottishFestivalsPR.Org Photography for Galloway Viking Hoard (GVH) from: Colin Hattersley Photography - www.colinhattersley.com - colinhattersley@btinternet.com - 07974 957 388.Free FIRST USE (ONLY) picture.Photography from: Colin Hattersley Photography - colinhattersley@btinternet.com - www.colinhattersley.com - 07974 957 388
Photos by  Colin Hattersley

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