King Arthur A Scot?
For 1500 years, historians have searched in vain for the grave of the legendary King Arthur.
Some say he was buried at Glastonbury, others Cornwall or Wales.
Now a historian says they are all wrong and that Arthur's mystical resting place was in Govan Glasgow.
Historian Hugh McArthur has been obsessed with the legendary leader of the Knights of the Round Table since he began researching his own clan history 12 years ago.
Historians have long claimed Arthur was King of Cornwall and Wales.
However, an increasing number now insist he was a sixth-century warrior prince, son of Scots King Aidan, based in welsh-speaking Strathclyde.
And Hugh from Glasgow, believes the quest for the legend's grave ends at Goven Old Parish Church in the city.
A stone coffin, or sarcophagus, in the church has long been believed to have held the body of St Constantine, the founder of Govan and one of the first men to introduce Christianity to Scotland.
But Hugh claims its design is too ornate for a churchman.
He is intrigued by the Celtic warrior carving on the side engraved with the letter "A".
The sarcophagus was accidentally unearthed by a gravedigger in 1855 from ground which had been sacred for more than 1300 years,
The Old Parish Church was used as the burial site for the castle at Dumbarton, capital of Strathclyde in the sixth century.
Significantly, Dumbarton's ancient name was Castello Arturius - Arthur's Castle.
Hugh says, " As well as the letter "A" carving, the bed from which the sarcophagus was taken has been dated to the sixth century, so it all matches Arthur's life.
It is believed the sarcophagus held the remains of St Constantine but there is not a single Christian symbol on it.
It is also far too elaborate for a churchman. I believe it may have held Arthur."
Old Parish Church minister Tom Davidson Kelly admits the sarcophagus has left clergymen baffled for the last 150 years.
He says: " We do not have a clue who was in the coffin. I still hanker for it being a churchman but it's possible it was Arthur.
"Hugh's interpretation is sure to spark debate and that's important in an inner city area such as Govan where people have lost their story. It's sure to get everyone around here talking."
The coffin's lid and skeletal contents have long since disappeared - a fact that has intrigued historians for years.
Hugh added: " It's bizarre that a sarcophagus, which is built to show someone lying in state, should ever be buried. It's almost as if they had something to hide.
"It's important we Scots finally begin to embrace Arthur as one of our own instead of accepting the romanticised myth about him that has been peddled for years."
Historians have been split about the background of the sixth-century ruler, with many arguing he was born at Tintagel Castle, in Cornwell.
Others claim Arthur is a myth, created by cleric Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century when he was writing the History of the Kings of Britain.
But others historians have been willing to put their money where their mouth is about Arthur's roots.
One is so confident Arthur was a Scot that, in 1997, he offered £25,000 to anyone who could prove him wrong.
Historians point to similarities between the Scots prince and legendary King - both had a sister called Morgan and fought with the Kings of the Britons against the Saxons.
The Scots Arthur was killed in battle at Camlann, believed now to be Camelon in Falkirk.
Academics have argued the legendary fortress Camelot is actually Greenan Castle, near Ayr.
They point to place names such as Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, Ben Arthur at Arrochar and Arthurlie, in Barrhead.
However, academics remain skeptical about his findings. Dr Tom Clancy, a lecturer in Celtic Studies at Glasgow University, said: "We know nothing of historical Arthur.
"Everyone has their own Arthurian legend but he's a tourist trap and as good as literary fiction.
"We're whistling in the wind if we think we can find out about Arthur."
My view
I can myself see where some of the above story,
which I have taken from the Daily Record on wed 14th February 2001,
such as place names link Arthur to Scotland, there is further stories about Arthur in the Falkirk area.
I would like to believe Arthur is a Govan lad.
But as to Arthur was a true person, well we all believe in Nessie don't we
