AN ARCHER from Blairgowrie is aiming to use an ancient law to reunite locals with a trophy last competed for by townsfolk in 1717. Ben Johnson (23) has studied the medieval art of archery since he was eight and since moving to the Perthshire town last year has been researching the sport’s Scottish history. The Longbowman, originally from Nottingham, was intrigued by the mystery surrounding The Sil
ver Arrow, a once highly regarded and fought for archery trophy in the area. Forged in 1612 by Thomas Ramsay of Perth, the trophy was given to Blairgowrie and Rattray by King James VI soon after. Townsfolk competed for it, along with The Silver Handball and The Silver Curling Stone, every year until it was won by John Nairne in 1717. Jacobite Nairne is believed to have fled to France and the whereabouts of The Silver Arrow remained a mystery until Lord Robert Mercer-Nairne of Meikleour House tried to sell it at Sothebys in May 2006 for about £60,000. Prevented from selling it at the last minute when its historical importance came to light, The Silver Arrow was returned to the Scottish estate where it is believed to remain. But now Ben has issued a demand for it to be returned and shot for by March 25, 2012. Attending the local community council meeting last week, Ben, dressed in full archery attire with accompanying bows and arrows, issued officials with a letter, validated by a clause in official 17th Century documentation, giving them until mid March to reunite The Silver Arrow with the people of Blairgowrie and Rattray, or incur a charge of 40 Scots shilling every day until it is returned. Ben said, “I have always been fascinated with local history and when I heard about The Silver Arrow I was determined to fight for its return.
“It does not belong in a drawer hidden away on an estate, or a museum miles away but to the people of Blairgowrie and Rattray and I will not rest until archers are competing for it again.”
For media enquiries contact Sarah Johnson / [email protected] or to pledge support for Ben’s quest email [email protected]
