Battlefields of Scotland

We fight not for glory, nor for wealth, nor honor

but only and alone we fight for freedom

which no good man surrenders but with his life.

For centuries the fields of Scotland have been scene for hundreds of battles and wars, but in 1314 AD the most important battle for Scottish independence was fought on the fields of Bannockburn.  On June 23rd King Robert the Bruce of Scotland led his army of Scottish patriots to face the significantly larger forces of King Edward II of England and on June 24th soundly defeated him.

Today, that battlefield is still simply a field, but it is well worth visiting.  Overlooking the battlefield is a statue of Robert the Bruce and if you look into the distance (usually to the right) you can see Stirling Castle, which was under siege by the Scots when the English arrived.  Inside the Heritage Center you can get a glimpse of the major events that led up to and followed the Battle of Bannockburn.

Stirling Castle from the Battlefield

Over 400 years and a hundred and forty miles to the north lies another important battlefield, Culloden.  Here the Scots and English faced off again.  The Scots were rebelling against the German Hanoverian dynasty that was ruling England and Scotland at the time and were trying to restore the former Stewart dynasty.  However, the Scots under Bonnie Prince Charlie were soundly defeated and the Scottish way of life changed forever, though some freedom was returned in the late 1990s.

A visitor center now sits on the edge of the battlefield and offers a interesting and sometimes graphic glimpse of what happened that day.  Outside the battlefield has been kept close to look like it did on the day of the tragic defeat.  One major difference is that the battlefield is now dotted with shrubs and heather instead of being a grazing ground, but the treacherous  moor land can still be seen in various spots if you know what to look for.

Scotland is full of stories of victory and defeat.  It is a country that is constantly struggling to be its own “person.”  Perhaps one day it will, but until that day the memories of the brave men and their families who suffered and died will long be remember.  Take time to visit these places, learn about their history, and pay honor a brave people’s fight for freedom.

 

The Battlefield...at least part of it

 

Mass Clan Graves, several of dozens

Thatched house built on the site of a former house 

used during the battle by the Government forces

Please do not use any of these pictures without permission.

“He Who Holds Stirling, Holds Scotland”

Surrounded on three sides by the steep cliffs of Castle Hill, Stirling Castle soars majestically above the town of Stirling and the River Forth.  Its strategic position, guarding what was once the only crossing over the River Forth into the Highlands, made it a hotspot for political and military conflict for centuries.  But for the modern traveler there are other reasons to visit Stirling Castle.

Stirling Castle is one of the largest surviving castles in Scotland.  Contained within its walls are some of the finest examples of Medieval and Renaissance architecture around.  Massive reconstruction and restoration efforts have brought many parts of the castle back to their former glory, including the Palace, the Great Hall, and the Chapel Royal.  Yet, beyond the fascinating “furnishings,” there are plenty of other things to see.  Look around.  You never know what you might find tucked away in a corner, down a stairs, or through an archway. 

 

The Great Hall contains the largest medieval banqueting hall ever built in Scotland.  Occasionally, important historical events are reenacted in the hall giving visitors an exciting glimpse of life during the height of the castle’s power.

The Palace, built in the mid-1500s by James V, has undergone extensive restoration and is now nearly entirely restored to its former beauty with lavish Renaissance facades, furnishings, and hand-woven tapestries.

Between the Great Hall and the Chapel Royal is a narrow walkway that leads to a quiet garden called the Douglas Garden.  It got its name from William, earl of Douglas, who was murdered by his own king, James II, and had his body was thrown here by the king’s frightened courtiers.

When you're done exploring these places, take a look at the great kitchens still bustling with activity, the outer defenses which afford an amazing view of Stirling and the Wallace Monument, and the Argyll Regimental museum. 

Stirling is not just a castle where you go down the list of things to see.  To me, Stirling is one of the purest examples of what any boy or girl imagines when they hear their first stories of knights and castles.  Take time to explore this enchanting castle and, like me, you may find something new that’s not on your map.

For more information and pictures, check out these great sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_Castle

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/stirling/stirlingcastle/

http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/

 

      The bustling Great Kitchen                         The ghost of the Douglas?

                                                                       No just the actor taking a stroll,

                                                                   but it was perfectly spooky in the fog.

Please do not use these pictures without permission.