The principal officer for the US Consulate General in Edinburgh made a special visit to Angus as major plans to mark 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath were revealed.

Susan Wilson was presented with a framed copy of the declaration, which is thought to have inspired the American Declaration of Independence in 1776.

On April 6, 1320, the Declaration of Arbroath was sent to the Pope by the nobles of Scotland from within the walls of Arbroath Abbey.

Widely acknowledged as the most famous document in Scotland's history, the declaration sought to confirm Scotland's independence.

Now the Angus town is preparing to mark anniversary by creating a Declaration Square in front of the abbey and moving the town's statue commemorating the signing there.

Event organising group Arbroath 2020 is made up of local enthusiasts who are working closely with Historic Environment Scotland, Visit Scotland and Angus Council in the run up to the celebration.

Chairman Norman Atkinson said: "As part of the build up to the many events which will happen during the 700th year of the Declaration, Arbroath 2020 plans to rebrand April 6 as Declaration Day and also intends to create a lasting, and fitting, legacy for Arbroath.

"Arbroath 2020 would like to see the area in front of the abbey developed into a civic space, perhaps named Declaration Square, for the people of Arbroath.

"As part of these plans, we are currently in discussions about moving David Annand's wonderful Declaration sculpture from the outskirts of the town to this proposed square, where it would be seen by residents and visitors alike in an historic and highly relevant setting."