Final Word
History Scotland talks to Herbert Coutts, MBE, Chairman of the Scottish Battlefields Trust (SBT) about theTrust’s recent call to all political parties to protect the country’s historic battlefields
Herbet Coutts, chairman of the Scottish Battlefields Trust
What are the biggest challenges facing the SBT at the moment?
To grow our membership base so that we can keep a close eye on the historic battlefields scattered across Scotland, and be alerted to planning applications threatening intrusive developments on them.We are eager to strengthen our relationships with organisations such as the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland, and the print and broadcast media.This would assist us to be listened to when we lobby politicians and speak out on behalf of the battlefield heritage.
How have Covid-19 restrictions affected the work that you do?
Our popular re-enactments were not possible, but we live-streamed a number of battle commemorative services.Working with others, we intensified our oversight of potential intrusive developments at the battlefields of Culloden, Sheriffmuir and Pinkie Cleugh. Advice and support was provided to the emerging Rough Wooing Trust, to be based in Haddington, and the Twelve Towers of Rule project in the borders. Our important partnership with the Battlefields Trust (in England) has been fostered by contributing articles to the Battlefield magazine, which is distributed to the members of both organisations, and by sharing a webinar programme.
SBT recently cited successful initiatives in the US that have seen ‘hallowed ground’ battlefields protected. What aspects of such initiatives would the Trust like to see adopted?
The present so-called ‘protection’ of Scottish historic battlefields of national importance is not working. In the US, 50 per cent Federal funding is available to not-for-profit organisations to acquire key areas of recognised battlefields from the revolutionary war, the war of 1812 and the civil war. Categorised as ‘outdoor classrooms’, battlefield parks are eligible to receive grants for the restoration of day-of-battle conditions and to introduce 21st-century technology to modernise interpretation and education. All of these are examples worth following.
It could be argued that with so many battle sites around the country, it is impossible to protect them all. If your proposal was accepted by politicians, how would SBT decide which sites to focus on?
The highest priority sites have been listed by Historic Environment Scotland, which has designated 40 as being of national importance. Scattered over fifteen local authority areas, they range in date from a 1296 battle between English and Scottish knights and mounted men-at-arms near Dunbar in the first war of Scottish independence, to the bitter Jacobite defeat on Culloden moor, where the last pitched battle in Britain was fought in 1746. Several of them have suffered from development and all but disappeared, which makes it imperative we protect the key areas of those that remain. We monitor those under the greatest threat. Nondesignated sites are also of interest to us, a few of which may be added to the list in future.
How can people get involved?
By joining the Scottish Battlefields Trust, costing £20 annually (under 16s free). This would entitle them to all the benefits of membership and give us volunteers to watch over and care for Scotland’s battlefield heritage. If non-members become aware of threats to battle sites in their areas, we would like to hear from them.