The face of Robert the Bruce depicted in his statue at Bannockburn

The National Trust for Scotland has announced an outline events programme for the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn in June 2014.

The focus of these events will be the brand new Bannockburn Heritage Centre which is undergoing a major overhaul.  The parkland around the centre, owned by the National Trust for Scotland, will host three days of activity between 28th and 30th June 2014, the weekend closest to the anniversary itself, which falls on June 24th.

The programme has yet to be finalised, but we are told it will include 'battle re-enactments, medieval villages, music, theatre, learning, literature and Scottish food and drink.'    The National Trust for Scotland has also confirmed that, as part of the wide programme of events on their Bannockburn site, 'clans will be represented.'

Full details of the programme and tickets for the event will, we are told, be available from the Summer of 2013.

Although this represents significant progress on the uncertainty that has surrounded the project up to now, it is disappointing that more detail is not forthcoming after so much delay.  Visit Scotland and Stirling Council have said nothing further of any plans for the anniversary and the announcements made so far suggest the celebrations are to be left entirely in the hands of the National Trust for Scotland.

We will endeavour to keep Hays updated on progress and the involvement of the Clan Hay Society when it has been determined.