THE 700th anniversary of one of the pivotal battles fought by King Robert the Bruce was celebrated in Oldmeldrum on Friday (May 23), with the unveiling of "Bruce's Seat".
Thanks to the combined efforts of Meldrum and Bourtie Heritage Society (MBHS) and members of the local community, the large stone from which King Robert is said to have viewed the battle now has a permanent site next to the Barra roundabout along wit
h an information plaque giving details of the battle.
The ceremony was opened by MBHS Chairman Akki Manson who welcomed the assembled crowd before society member Dr John Pirie gave a potted history of the battle. The unveiling was carried out by P5 pupils from Meldrum Primary - Danielle Cowie, Ffion Roberts, Katelyn Gray, Lauren Milne, Jonatan Leidland and Euan Hird - who are studying "Wallace and The Bruce" at school.
During the ceremony Meldrum Academy pupil Gillian Smith treated the crowd to a selection of traditional Scottish tunes on the bagpipes. Following the ceremony those gathered retired to the Oldmeldrum Royal British Legion where Jim Presly, MBHS events' convener, ably assisted by his family, had organised refreshments.
The Battle of Barra took place in May 1308, when forces of King Robert the Bruce defeated the men of John Comyn, 3rd Earl of Buchan, who was Bruce's main rival in Scotland. This effectively ended resistance to King Robert in the North east helping to unite all of Scotland behind The Bruce, which eventually resulted in the famous victory over King Edward II English army at Bannockburn in 1314.
At the time of the Battle of Barra King Robert was believed to have been ill but rose from his sickbed to inspire his forces. The battle turned into a rout of Comyn's men, Barbour's "The Brus" states, "For when the king's company saw, That they fled so disorderly, They chased them with all their might, Took some and killed others."
Local legend has it that King Robert viewed the battle from the large chair shaped boulder, which became known as "Bruce's Seat". The boulder sat beside the minister's path which connected Meldrum and Bourtie for many years, before the hill was ploughed over in the 1950s. Thanks to the efforts of society member Dr John Pirie who kept an eye on the stones subsequent location, the MBHS decided to find a permanent site that would mark the historic battle.
An excellent blog, which is a mine of accurate information on the battle, has been posted by ex-pat Jim Benzie at http://barra1308.blogspot.com for those wishing to learn more about the battle and the events surrounding it.
The Meldrum and Bourtie Heritage Society would like to pass on grateful thanks to all who helped ensure that battle has a fitting memorial, and to all who helped make the unveiling ceremony such a success.
