Sister City Dignitary from Scotland Visits Dunedin

Visiting Scottish dignitary Colin O'Brien marks an upcoming anniversary with a different type of cultural exchange on Thursday.

O'Brien, a former provost of sister city, Stirling, Scotland, is visiting Dunedin, not just for the Highland Games on April 13, but also to commemorate an upcoming 50 years of sisterhood.

The 50-year anniversary of Stirling and Dunedin's sisterhood next year (2014), also marks another historically significant anniversary: the 700 years since the Battle of Bannockburn, a turning point in the Wars of Scottish Independence against England.

It was fought in June 1314 near Stirling.

O'Brien will share the cultural and historical significance of both anniversaries from Stirling's perspective on Thursday, April 11 at Andrews Memorial Chapel. 

He'll also announce a historical museum exhibit to be exchanged between Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, where O'Brien is now chairman, and Dunedin Historical Museum, planned for the cities' 50th sisterhood anniversary and 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

O'Brien's presentation starts at 11 a.m. It is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted. Proceeds will help transport the exhibit exchange. 

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