Robert the Bruce and Edward II battled in Bannockburn, 1314
It is 700 years since Bannockburn, a brutal battle between the armies of the Scottish King Robert the Bruce and King Edward II of England. Bruce’s forces were vastly outnumbered – some historians claim he fielded only 6,000 to Edward’s 19,000-strong horse and footmen. Yet the Scottish king was victorious, securing not only a period of Scottish independence, but capturing the imaginations of thousands worldwide.
The first Bannockburn Heritage Centre
In 1932, the Bannockburn Preservation Committee, under Edward Bruce, the tenth Earl of Elgin, presented land to the national Trust for Scotland. This, with further purchases of land in the 60s, facilitated the creation of a visitor centre to mark the battle site. A popular Stirlingshire tourist attraction for decades, this original Bannockburn Heritage Centre was closed in October 2012, in order to begin work on a new, state-of-the-art Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre, due to open on 1 March 2014.
A new centre for 2014
Visitors will be able to see the battle laid out in a detailed battle map
The new centre will harness 3D technology to enable visitors to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with medieval warriors, witness all the sights and sounds of battle, and learn the tactics of the two opposing Kings in an immersive ‘hands-on’ experience. ‘Battlemasters’ will take visitors through the centre and ultimately to the Battle Room, where visitors can lead their own armies or observe the events of Bannockburn unfold in a Battle Show.
Hi-tech meets history
Combat sequences are created by motion-capture technology with the input of historians
The 3D visitor experience uses the very same motion capture technology that transformed, for example, Andy Serkis into Gollum for Lord of the Rings, and created the Na’vi in James Cameron’s Avatar. But this is just part of the process – the technology is only one part of a complex jigsaw ensuring authenticity throughout. Fight choreographers work with replica weapons in genuine one-to-one combat to create the motion capture, while an academic panel of historians and archaeologists develop scripts, story boards and character profiles for the many constituent ‘fights’ that go to make a whole battle. Complex battle sequences comprising greater numbers combine motion capture with post-production effects to create the expansive vista of a raging battlefield. Technology and academic expertise are working hand-in-hand to create a visitor experience like no other.
Bannockburn Live
Marking the 700th anniversary of the battle, the new Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre will be a cornerstone in the City of Stirling’s Homecoming weekend, which culminates with Bannockburn Live on 28 and 29 June. During Bannockburn Live, around 300 re-enactors will recreate the atmosphere of battle at 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Replica encampments will demonstrate how battle preparations were made, with working blacksmiths, kitchens, armouries and living quarters. Visitors will be able to trace their ancestry in the Clan and Family Village, as well as listen to the stories of around 40 Clans from Scotland, the UK and overseas. A food and drink village will not only provide visitors with the local flavours of Scotland, but offer insights into food and drink through the ages. ‘Storyville’ will tell Scotland’s story through music, song and story, while the Main Stage will provide a musical backdrop to the two-day festival, providing both folk and contemporary music throughout.
Through the re-opening of the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre and the large-scale re-enactment on 28 and 29 June, it seems sure that this historic battle – won by few against so many – will resonate with people worldwide for generations to come.
For tickets to the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre (open from 1 March): http://battleofbannockburn.com/
For tickets to Bannockburn Live, on 28 and 29 June 2014: http://www.bannockburnlive.com/