Sunnyside Studio

This impressive memorial to Scotland's greatest hero stands, where Bruce would have stood himself, looking out across the shallow valley of the Bannock Burn to the English army, led by Edward II coming up from Falkirk.

At this time, June 1314, Stirling was besieged and held by the English. Its garrison commander had agreed he would surrender it to the Scots if relief did not come by the 24th of June. Bruce positioned his forces so that the relieving force must fight him, before reaching Stirling.

Although greatly outnumbered, the Scots prevailed through Bruce's choice of ground; the formidable English cavalry being disadvantaged by the soft swampy terrain.

This unimpressive little stream rises on the slopes of Earls Hill and winds its way gently down to the Forth. The main English force crossed near here on the morning of June 24th. One can imagine the soft boggy ground being churned quickly into mud by thousands of hooves bringing the cavalry to a standstill and no match for the Scottish spearmen. Later that day the burn at this spot would have been choked with the bodies of horses and men, and the water red with blood.