We offer a 3 hour guided walking tour to Bannockburn battlefield with expert local guide. This tour is highly acclaimed and visitors from across Europe and North America enjoy hearing the story behind Robert Bruce’s famous victory.
The Battle of Bannockburn was a significant military conflict that took place on June 23-24, 1314, near the town of Stirling in Scotland. It was fought between the armies of the Kingdom of Scotland, led by King Robert the Bruce, and the Kingdom of England, led by King Edward II. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Scottish forces and is regarded as a key moment in Scottish history.
Background
The Battle of Bannockburn was the culmination of years of conflict between Scotland and England. In 1296, King Edward I of England invaded Scotland and successfully conquered the country, deposing King John Balliol and installing English rule. However, the Scottish people rebelled against English rule and, under the leadership of William Wallace and later Robert the Bruce, fought to regain their independence.
In 1307, Robert the Bruce was crowned King of Scotland and began a campaign to drive the English out of Scotland. He won a series of battles, including the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 and the Battle of Rosslyn in 1303, but suffered a defeat at the Battle of Methven in 1306, which forced him into hiding.
The Battle
In 1314, King Edward II led a large army north to Scotland, determined to crush the Scottish rebellion once and for all. Robert the Bruce, who had gathered an army of around 6,000 men, decided to confront the English forces at Bannockburn, near Stirling.
The Scottish army was positioned on high ground, with a dense forest to their rear and the Bannockburn stream to their front. King Edward’s army, numbering around 20,000 men, was spread out in a long line, with the English archers at the front.
On the first day of the battle, the English launched a series of attacks, but the Scottish pikemen held their ground and repelled the English knights. In the evening, King Edward ordered his army to retreat to their camp, where they would rest and regroup for the next day’s battle.
On the second day of the battle, the Scottish forces launched a surprise attack on the English camp, catching the English army off guard. The English knights were forced to fight on foot and were surrounded by the Scottish pikemen. The Scottish cavalry then charged the English archers, scattering them and causing chaos in the English ranks.
King Edward, who had been watching the battle from a distance, attempted to rally his troops, but it was too late. The English army was in disarray, and King Edward was forced to flee the battlefield. The Scottish forces emerged victorious, with only a few hundred casualties compared to the thousands of English soldiers who were killed or captured.
Aftermath
The Battle of Bannockburn was a significant moment in Scottish history. It secured Scotland’s independence from England and established Robert the Bruce as a national hero. Get in touch to book your private tour of Bannockburn