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Bannockburn, Scotland

 

On 24th of June 1314 Robert the Bruce defeated Edward II's army at Bannockburn near Stirling. The battlefield's traditional site - the exact site is not known for certain - is now owned by the National Trust. There is a visitors centre, a shop and cafe, and a statue of Robert the Bruce watching over the battlefield. Throughout the summer there are Living History presentations and storytelling. There is a costume box for children, a quiz and a children's guide. The third weekend in September sees a re-enactment of the battle. Dogs are welcome in the park only.

Bannockburn is often thought of as a site celebrating Scottish national identity. But just like English sites traditonally linked with national identity, the actual history of Bannockburn tends to make a nonsense of national myths. Robert the Bruce may not have been Scottish, and even if he was he had plenty of Scottish enemies. The powerful noble John Comyn, for example had a strong claim to the Scottish throne. Since Comyn threatened Robert's own claim to the throne, Robert killed him in front of the alter at Greyfriars Abbey, which did not go down well with many Scots. At the battle of Bannockburn itself, there were many of Robert's Scottish enemies in the ranks of the English army. In the modern world we tend to think more strongly along national lines than was the case in the fourteenth century. The struggles of that time were largely dynastic, with groups of wealthy nobles fighting each other for power. Often men would pin their fortunes on a powerful noble not so much out of a sense of national pride, but in the hope of enjoying the spoils of victory. National feeling was to an extent tagged on to other more pressing considerations. To its credit, the display at Bannockburn does not shy away from these historical contradictions. On my visit I noticed a display board which included a quote by Fiona Watson: "Don't go wandering into the past if you are looking for truth and certainty; it just doesn't exist there any more than it exists in the present." (From Scotland A History)

In the seventeenth century Samuel Johnson said that patriotism was the "last refuge of a scoundrel". Even so it is difficult to deny the patriotic role of places like Bannockburn. This is so even if the history of such places does not actually match the nationalistic story woven around them. As Anthony Burgess says "While patriotic virtue burns in the mind, adrenalin courses round the body and exhilarates. Reason never has this euphoric effect." (A Mouthful of Air P2)

 

Opening Times: The site is open daily all year. The Heritage Centre is open from 1st March to 31st October 10am - 5pm.

Address: Bannockburn, Glasgow Road, Stirling, Scotland FK7 0LJ

Directions: Bannockburn is two miles from Stirling off the M9 at junction 9. Click here for an interactive map centred on Bannockburn.

Access: There is provision for disabled parking, and for hiring of wheelchairs. A disabled toilet is available. There is a large print guide, subtitled video in the exhibition, and an induction loop in the auditorium.

Contact:

telephone: 0844 493 2139

fax: 0844 493 2138

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