In our Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 were included the following words, as true today as it was then:

For, as long as but a hundred of us remain alive,

never will we, on any conditions, be brought under English rule.

It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom -- for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.

At the opening of our New Parliament a song was sung which had been written by Robert Burns, our National Poet, over 200 years ago - I think it says all that we feel in Scotland, in Scouting and indeed in the civilised world.

Is there for honest poverty

That hings his head, an a' that?

The coward slave, we pass him by -

We dare be poor for a' that!

For a' that, an a' that,

Our toils obscure, an a' that,

The rank is but the guinea's stamp,

The man's the gowd for a' that.

What though on hamely fare we dine,

Wear hoddin grey, an a' that?

Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine -

A man's a man for a' that.

For a' that, an a' that.

Their tinsel show, an a' that,

The honest man, tho e'er sae poor,

Is king o men for a' that.

Ye see you birkie ca'd 'a lord,'

What struts, an stares, an a' that?

Tho hundreds worship at his word,

He's but a cuif for a' that.

For a' that, an a' that,

His ribband, star, an a' that,

The man o independent mind,

He looks an laughs at a' that.

A prince can mak a belted knight,

A marquis, duke, an a' that!

But an honest man's aboon his might -

Guid faith, he mauna fa' that!

For a' that, an a' that,

Their dignities, an a' that,

The pith o sense an pride o worth.

Are higher rank than a' that.

Then let us pray that come it may

[As come it will for a' that],

That Sense and Worth o'er a' the earth,

Shall bear the gree an a' that.

For a' that, an a' that,

It's comin yet for a' that,

That man to man, the world, o'er

Shall brithers be for a' that.

BTW if you want a translation from the Scots, just let me know!

"Scouting together in Europe"