IT was the curious tale of Nelson Mandela, the “prancing” Gay Gordons and the freedom of the city of Aberdeen.

The details, albeit scant, are contained in the latest release of previously secret Foreign Office papers from the 1980s.

At the time, the future South African president was in prison. While venerated as the hero of the struggle to end the apartheid system in his country, the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher associated Mr Mandela with communism and terrorism because of his leadership of the ANC.

In November 1984, Whitehall mandarins hesitated when they were approached by officials from the Ministry of Defence with an unusual request. They were asked if they had any objection to the Gordon Highlanders taking part in a ceremony in which the prisoner on Robben Island was to be given the freedom of the city of Aberdeen.

Initially the Foreign Office took a relaxed view.

One official, Miss A Adams, wrote: "Music, colour and pageantry is generally supplied on such occasions by the Gordon Highlanders, who are based in the city. MoD have asked whether there would be any objection to the Gay Gordons performing and prancing on this occasion too.

"I recommend that we do not object," she added.

But writing in the margins of the typed note, another unnamed FO official had a different take and penned a word of warning. "The association of a Scottish band of the British Army with the ceremony would certainly attract comment in SA. All in all, it seems unwise."

Miss Adams later wrote that the MoD was now having “cold feet,” adding: "I recommend that we tell MoD we have no objection and leave them to decide."

The records do not say how the issue was resolved but it is believed the Gordon Highlanders, who performed traditional Scottish dances, never did perform or prance on this occasion.

In November 1984, Mr Mandela and his then wife, Winnie, were given the freedom of Aberdeen.