Bloody brilliant fun for all family
Historic battlefields have the power to enthrall and entertain, so why not step back in time to see them, asks Heather Greenaway
THIS half term, why not bring the history of Scotland at war alive for the kids with a trip to one of the nation’s historic battlefields.
From the Scottish Wars of Independence to the Jacobite Risings – the nation has been the setting for some of the bloodiest battles ever fought on British soil.
These battlegrounds are well worth exploring, especially Bannockburn and Culloden, where you can take part in virtual 3D re-enactments.
Here we take a look at five battlefields, where you can step back in time during the school holidays. THE BATTLE OF BANNOCKBURN – JUNE 23-24, 1314 This was a victory for the army of King of Scots Robert the Bruce over the army of King Edward II of England in the First War of Scottish Independence.
Today you can visit the site of the battle and see the spot where Robert the Bruce raised his royal standard before going inside the visitor centre to take part in a 3D virtual recreation of the famous victory. The visitor centre is open daily from 9.30am to 6pm
Prices: Adult £11.50; Concession £8.50; Family 2 adults & 2 children, £30.50
Booking in advance is recommended.
Tel: 01786 812664 www.nts. org.uk/visit/places/ bannockburn THE BATTLE OF CULLODEN – APRIL 16, 1746 Jacobite supporters, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British throne, gathered on Culloden moor outside Inverness to fight the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. In less than an hour, about 1600 men were slain – 1500 of them Jacobites. Visit the memorial cairn around which lie the graves of the fallen – and afterwards you can experience the bloody stramash in the visitor centre’s 360-degree battle emersion theatre. Visitor centre open daily from 9am-6pm Prices: Adult £11; Concession £9.50; Family 2 adults & 2 children £27 Tel: 08444932159 www.nts. org.uk/visit/places/ culloden THE BATTLE OF STIRLING BRIDGE – SEPTEMBER 11, 1297 This is where the armies of Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated King Edward I’s forces during the First War of Scottish Independence. A large English army attempted to cross the River Forth via the narrow bridge and the smaller Scottish army took advantage of their position up on a slope and hurled spears and other missiles on to the advancing knights.
Those English soldiers yet to cross the bridge fled the scene.
You can visit the present Stirling Old Bridge, which was built in the 1400s or 1500s and replaced a succession of timber bridges. THE BATTLE OF KILLIECRANKIE – JULY 27, 1689 The was the first major engagement in the Jacobite rebellions. A government army was lured through the narrow, two-mile long Pass of Killiecrankie where they were attacked and defeated by a combined force of Highlanders and Irishmen under the command of James Graham of Claverhouse. See Soldier’s Leap, where a redcoat soldier leapt 18ft across the river Garry to flee the Jacobites. Visitor centre is open daily 10am-5pm and entry is free. Tel: 01796473233 www.nts. org.uk/ visit/ places/ killicrankie MASSACRE OF GLENCOE – FEBRUARY 13, 1692 Glencoe was the scene of one of the most infamous massacres in Scottish history when 38 members of the MacDonald clan were slaughtered while they slept by Captain Robert Cmpbell and his men. You can explore locations featured in the Harry Potter movies, Outlaw King, Braveheart, Rob Roy and Skyfall. Glencoe visitor centre is open daily from 9am-6pm.