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There
is nothing visible today which can be directly linked to the battle, and the
actual site is a matter of conjecture, however that does not mean that there is
nothing to see.
With
that in mind, I would like to highlight seven locations which may be of
interest and have featured in the blog.
1: Bruce’s Field is by tradition the site of the battle, it is located to the left
of the main Inverurie to Oldmeldrum road (B1970), when travelling towards
Oldmeldrum.
There
is little to differentiate is from the adjoining fields and there is nothing to
see from the road. It can best be viewed from the top of Barra Hill, which can
be reached by the footpath between “Blankets” and Bourtie Kirk. (For precise details see below)
 |
| The entrance to the footpath from the Oldmeldrum end. |
 |
Bruce's Field from Barra Hill
|
2:
Barra Hill, is the location of three places of interest, which can be reached
by the footpath.
A: The Iron Age hill fort which
predates the battle by over a millennium. |
| Iron Age hill fort and Comyn's Camp |
B:
Comyn’s camp, which is the same location as the hill fort, is by some
traditions where the Earl and his army camped the night before the battle.
However, there is no evidence to support these traditions.
C: Wallace’s putting stone, is a
large serpentine rock standing on Barra hill, which according to legend was
thrown by Wallace from Bennachie, into Comyn’s camp to aid the king’s army.
See
post for details:
 |
| Wallace's Putting Stone |
3:
Bourtie Kirk is the location of two stone figures, a knight and a lady, who are
associated with the legend of Thomas De Longueville. Legend has it that Sir
Thomas a companion of Robert I, was mortally wounded, and in true Robin Hood
fashion fired an arrow, to determine where he should be buried.
The
Kirk is not open to the public, but there are regular services. (See link
below)
For
more information see Marion Youngblood’s book “Bourtie Kirk 800 years”
 |
| Sir Thomas and his Lady |
4:
Lawel Hill, features a legend of the battle where Robert I’s army gathered
cattle and tied lanterns to their horns and stampeded them at Comyn’s army.
(See post for details.)
Lawel
hill is located to the south of Barra Hill and can be viewed for the summit.
 |
| Lawel Hill from Barra Hill |
5:
The original site of Bruce’s seat, was just off the old footpath which ran up
the eastern slope of Barra Hill. For details of the location and see John
Pirie’s account.
 |
| The east side of Barra Hill from the golf course |
6:
The Grenago Stane, is located on the 14th fairway of Oldmeldrum golf
course.
This
according to legend is where the Earl of Buchan is said to have lamented his
defeat. (For details see post)
It
can be viewed from Kirk Brae, just take care to avoid flying golf balls.
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/898972 |
| The Grenago Stane |
7:
Battle of Barra Memorial, was unveiled ten years ago, and details of the
project are included in numerous posts on this blog. It is located on the north
side of the Barra roundabout, on the B9170.
 |
| Battle of Barra memorial |
The
battle field today is described in the “inventory boundary” and “battlefield
landscape” sections of the Historic Scotland battlefield inventory.
One last thing, if you are visiting any of the locations, please treat them with respect.
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