Scottish Battlefields Trust Re-enactments (Prestonpans, Pinkie & Dunbar)

Where: Dunbar, Prestonspans & Pinkie - rolling location year-by-year
When: 3rd Weekend in September
Time: 10 am - 5 pm

 

Parade arrives

The Scottish Battlefields Trust host a trio of commemorations of Lowlands battles, always held on the third weekend in September but moving venue around the relevant sites in turn. Expect historically accurate large battle re-enactments along with talks, displays and living history.  The Battle of Prestonpans was the first significant battle in the Jacobite rising, in which Bonnie Prince Charlie’s troops were victorious over those of King George II; it took place on September 21st 1745. The Battle of Pinkie Cleugh was fought on 10th September 1547 and was part of the “Rough Wooing” campaign where the English were trying to have Mary Queen of Scots married off to Henry VIII’s young son Edward; the day ended in victory for the English and was the last pitched battle between the two nations. The Battle of Dunbar took place on September 3rd 1650 as part of the Civil Wars; the forces of newly crowned Charles II took on those of the Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell; Cromwell’s troops were victorious and Charles fled into exile. As each of these battles took place in September in locations relatively close to each other, it makes sense that each one takes a turn centre stage so that the different stories and backgrounds can be presented to the public in detail.

Helpful Hints

In 2022 the Spectacular would usually have been on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September but didn’t take place due to funding problems and there was no event in 2023. If no event is scheduled for 2024 I’ll conclude that it has lapsed.

Each battle has its own smaller commemoration on its anniversary date when it isn’t the featured site for the spectacular and these events should still be taking place (see Battlefields Trust link below for details).

Admission to the re-enactment in 2018 was £6 and it was a very good value day out especially if you took advantage of the early bird 1/2 price discount for turning up before noon. Refreshments and parking were on site and it was enjoyed by all ages.

Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/scottishbattlefieldstrust

Click here for the Scottish Battlefields Trust : http://www.scottishbattlefields.org

Click here for the event website: http://www.battleofprestonpans1745.org

View this location on the map.