The Bannockburn Heritage Centre is situated at one of the most important historic sites in Scotland. On the battlefield nearby, in June 1314, King Robert the Bruce routed the forces of King Edward II to win freedom for the Scots from English domination. Near the centre is the famous Borsestone site which by tradition was Bruce's command post before the battle; it is marked by an impressive equestrian statue of Bruce by Pilkington Jackson. The Centre contains an exhibition on the period of the battle, and audio-visual presentation. No one knows how many Frasers fought on that illustrious day but we do know Sir Alexander Fraser, from whom the senior Fraser line is descended, was there. He married Robert the Bruce's widowed sister in 1316, became Chamberlain of Scotland in 1319 and was a major signatory to the Declaration of Arbroath in 6 April 1320, that date is now celebrated throughout the world as Tartan Day
Bannockburn:
Glasgow Road, Stirling FK7 0LJ
Tel: 01786 812664
Site: open all year daily, well signed
Heritage Centre, shop and cafe, 1st February to 31st Marh
1st November to 24th December daily 10.30-4
1st April to 31st October, daily 10 to 5.30
(Last audio show half an hour before closing)
Prices: Adult £3.50
Concession £2.60
Adult Group £2.80
Family £9.50
Event:Re-enactment of Battle of Bannockburn 18th/19th September 2004
A huge and exciting event - over 12,000 people turned up In 2003, to see the spectacle. http://www.nts.org.uk
PASS OF KILLIEKRANIE, SOLDIERS LEAP and BLAIR ATHOLL
Here a famous victory took place for Jacobite troops, opposed to King William of Orange in 27 July 1689 lead by John Graham of Claverhouse, "Bonnie Dundee", however, he died in the battle and the rebellion soon fizzled out. The story goes that, 300 Frasers joined a muster at Blair Castle, called by Lord Tullibardine and on finding out that he was supporting King William and the Scottish government, they walked off the parade ground. They stopped to drink the Stuart King James's health, at a nearby stream, having no whisky, water had to suffice and their bonnets became glasses, then joined Bonnie Dundee and were in the middle of the fighting that lead to the victory. The battle is also famous for its Soldier's Leap, a government soldier was about to die at the hands of some highlanders, as he tried to escape, his only chance was to chance an incredible leap across a gorge, this he succeeded in doing and gained his freedom, as no one could follow.
There's a visitor centre, tearoom and the Soldiers Leap is well signed, with walks through the woods and round the Pass of Killiekrankie. Site, all year, daily.
Visitor Centre, shop and snack-bar, 1 Apr to 30 Jun and 1 Sep to 31 Oct, daily 10-5.30; 1 Jul to 31 Aug, daily 9.30-6.
Free admission to the centre http://www.nts.org.uk
Signed off of the main Perth Inverness road, South of Blair Atholl village, where there's Blair Castle, with superb caravan park, good hotels, interesting country life museum, the grave of Bonnie Dundee and 2 miles to the North the House of Bruar shopping outlet.
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