Treasures unearthed at Royals’ old school
FORMER pupils include the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles.
But Gordonstoun has now unearthed even more royal connections after staff dug up a treasure trove of valuable relics dating back eight centuries.
The finds in the grounds of the school, near Elgin in Moray, include 13th Century coins, bullets and Victorian plant labels.
The discoveries chronicle the fascinating history of the land, which was formerly an estate owned by Scottish nobility.
The items were found by Lee Marchi and John Campbell, who work in maintenance and IT services at Gordonstoun, and are keen metal detectorists in their spare time. Mr Marchi said: ‘We found a solid silver, Edward I coin dating from 1272 to 1307. This might date back to the time when there was a market close to the old Ogstoun Cross.’ The pair also discovered a coin which dates to the reign of Charles II in the 1600s, a George III shilling from 1817, a florin and a silver, George V sixpence, both of which date from 1929.
Other discoveries include bullets and shell casings on the North Lawn – an area which would have been used as a sports field by both Prince Philip and Prince Charles when they attended the school.
These munitions date from the Second World War, when the school was requisitioned for use as barracks by the army.
Principal Lisa Kerr, said: ‘Gordonstoun has a fascinating history. It’s so interesting to see what has lain undisturbed just under the surface of the ground for centuries.’