MY FAVOURITE PLACE

SUSAN CALMAN, COMEDIAN

AND TV PRESENTER

Eas Anie waterfall, one of the best falls in the southern Highlands.

The gold-mining operation run by Scotgold lies close to the foot of the Eas Anie falls and recently produced its first samples of gold. The mine had previously closed down when the price of gold plummeted, but it now appears that investors, keen to avoid falling global stock markets, have been buying gold, doubling its price and making the reopening of Cononish economically viable.

There was no sign of activity as I passed the mine sheds and made my way to the foot of the Eas Anie waterfall. Although heavily cragged and buttressed in the west, north and east, the southern slopes of Beinn Chuirn are less steep and more sprawling, harnessing the waters of a thousand rivulets into two steep river ravines, the Garbh Choirean in the west and the impressive Eas Anie in the east.

As the tumbling waters crash over the rocky edge of the Eas Anie ravine, they become braided over the black, glistening crags before gathering into a final, single stream near the foot of the falls. Ferns, bracken and rowans overhang the crags and in the otherwise bare, grassy slopes of

THE recent publicity given to the 25th anniversary of Braveheart, Mel Gibson’s exciting, Oscar-laden but controversial tribute to William Wallace, has stirred interest in some of the many Scottish battlefields that have played such a key part in the country’s vivid and frequently violent history. Here, we look at a handful of them.

BANNOCKBURN

1314 and all that. A day spent here will give you an excellent idea of Robert the Bruce’s victory. As the National Trust for Scotland Bannockburn website says, you can experience a “digitally recreated version” of the battle, up close, and “find out how warriors, pages, knights and civilians on either side of the conflict became involved and what role they played”.

You can follow in the Bruce’s footsteps in the memorial park and see the spot where he raised his royal standard. Look out, too, for the bronze statue of the Bruce, by Pilkington Jackson. Good gift and souvenir shop. (While in the area, it’s worth taking in the Wallace Monument, a short drive away, atop the Abbey Craig in Stirling). www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/bannockburn

KILLIECRANKIE

The battle fought here on July 27,

1689, was part of the first Jacobite Rising. Despite being outnumbered, John Graham of Claverhouse (Bonnie Dundee) took his men to victory over government forces.

Modern-day visitors, look out for the Soldier’s Leap and the Balfour Stone. At the visitor centre they can discover more about the battle and the events that paved the way for it, and cast their eye over real and replica weapons.

PRESTONPANS

Explore the site of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s first victory, at Prestonpans on September 20-21, 1745, over government forces led by Sir John Cope. Take in the sweeping battlefield views from the pyramid viewpoint at Meadowmill and explore the site of the battle on foot. Interpretation boards, monuments and the interpretation at Bankton House Doocot add to your understanding of this battle. www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/ prestonpans-battlefield-1745-banktondoocot-p1572811

FALKIRK MUIR

A well-signposted trail, complete with a fine monument, takes you through this battle, won by the Jacobites over government forces on January 17, 1746.

“The battle fought on the south muir of the town ... was the last Jacobite triumph on the battlefield and the last time the famous Highland charge swept the clansmen to victory”, says Falkirk Local History Club.

CULLODEN

One of the most brutal battles on British soil took place here on April

16, 1746, in the final Jacobite Rising.

“Jacobite supporters, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British thrones, gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. It was the last pitched battle on British soil and, in less than an hour, around 1,600 men were slain – 1,500 of them Jacobites”, says the National Trust for Scotland website.

The visitor centre, next to the battlefield, includes artefacts from the battle and interactive displays. www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/culloden; www. nam.ac.uk/explore/battle-culloden