The maps in this book are based upon the
Ordinance Survey map with the sanction of
the Controller of H.M. Stationery Office,
Crown Copyright Reserved.
First published by Osprey Publishing Ltd.
as British Battlefields:
Scotland and the Border.
This edition published in
Great Britain in 1995 by
LEO COOPER
190 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8JL
an imprint of
Pen & Sword Books Ltd,
47 Church Street
Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS
Text Philip Warner, 1975, 1995
A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN 0-85052-487-3
The right of Philip Warner to be identified as author of this
Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the
Copyright, Designs and Patent Act, 1988
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission
from the publishers.
Printed and bound in the United States of America
with grid references and directions
(between pages 80 and 81)
1 inches to 1 mile 2 cm to 1 km 1:50,000
Road numbers are accurate at the time of uniting. Although renumbering does
sometime occur, visitors using the maps should have no difficulty in finding
the battlefields.
O.S. Map no. 57 (Stirling and The Trossachs Area) grid reference 784 951. The original bridge has now disappeared but the later, nearby, footbridge gives a good idea of its type. Note the width and speed of the river. A good idea of the tactical situation may be gained from looking over the castle ramparts or from the Wallace Monument.
O.S. Map no. 65 (Falkirk and West Lothian) grid reference 885 796. This site is often confused with that of the 1746 battle (a Jacobite victory) which took place two miles southeast of the town, where there is a monument near Greenbank. The 1298 battle took place in the middle of the town on land which has now been built over, but in spite of the bricks and mortar and roads it is still possible to obtain a fair view of the lie of the land. The Wallace Street and Thornhill Road intersection is thought to be the centre of the battlefield.
O.S. Map no. 57 (Stirling and The Trossachs Area) grid reference 793 905. Take the A872 south from Stirling. One mile along you come to 50 acres of National Trust for Scotland property with a Heritage centre, bookshop, restaurant and diorama. The statue of Bruce, set up in 1964, probably marks the spot where he stood to observe the advancing English army: the battlefield extended south and east of this position. The pits, south and east of the Borestone, reopened in the 19th century, were only eighteen inches deep but contained sharp hazel stakes.
O.S. Map no. 75 (Berwick-upon-Tweed) grid reference 968 547. The battlefield is ten miles out of Berwick along the A6105. There is a monument, half-concealed in the hedge, on the northern side of the road. Easily seen. No visitor should omit to take a good long look at Berwick, inspect the ruined castle and visit the museum. Peaceful today, but once a scene of frequent warfare.
O.S. Map no. 88 (Tyneside and Durham) grid reference 264 427. Although much built over, this site is not difficult to visualize. Take the point where the A167 crosses the railway line and you are in the centre of the beginning of the battle. Move to Red Hills and you are in the final stages. Flass Bog was to the northeast of Roberts position.
O.S. Map no. 75 (Berwick-upon-Tweed) grid reference 970 296. This is easy to find as it is two miles west of Wooler, though it is now usually called Humbleton. The Bendar stone is in the middle of a field by the side of the road and easily viewable. Red Riggs is a few hundred yards to the southeast. A rigg was an old English ridge.
O.S. Map no. 74 (Kelso and surrounding area) grid reference 619 273. The battlefield is four miles northwest of Jedburgh and some way from Ancrum itself. Some early accounts of this battle place it around Reniel Heugh (two miles northwest), which has Iron Age forts and was no doubt the scene of battles but not this one.
O.S. Map no. 66 (Edinburgh and Midlothian Area) grid reference 362 716. Easily seen. Note the vulnerability of the Scots to a bombardment from the sea. The little Pinkie burn, opposite Loretto, became choked with bodies and a major hazard, as small streams often did on battlefields.
O.S. Map no. 88 (Tyneside and Durham Area) grid reference 165 653. The battle was by Newburn bridge. Note the church tower from which Leslie fired his cannon.
O.S. Map no. 64 (Glasgow) grid reference 740 786. Take the A803 out of Kilsyth. Turn left into the grounds of Colzium House (now a Community Centre). In front of the house you will see the Montrose memorial. The battlefield area is to the east: some of it is now covered by an artificial lake. Relics occasionally come to light. As you look at the terrain you will probably be as surprised as Montrose was that he was offered battle here.
O.S. Map no. 73 (Peebles, Galashiels) grid reference 456 284. Take the A707 south from Selkirk. Turn left to the A708. Philiphaugh Farm is on the immediate right of this junction: the rest of the battlefield is to your left and ahead of you. Newark Castle is two miles further along and may be seen from the road.
O.S. Map no. 67 (Duns, Dunbar and Eyemouth) grid reference 704 768. Take the A1087 south of Dunbar. Look for the cement works on your left: there is a plaque at the turning. The above map reference gives the final position of Leslies right wing before it disintegrated. Interesting harbour and castle ruins.
O.S. Map no. 43 (Braemar to Blair Atholl) grid reference 912 628. The A9 runs through the pass and takes you by the National Trust for Scotland Centre, which has an interesting diorama of the battle. Look up the slope past Urrard House to appreciate Mackays position. The Soldiers Leap is also clearly marked.
O.S. Map no. 41 (Ben Nevis and Fort William) grid reference 148 559. The A82 passes through the glen on the way up to Oban. The scene of the massacreas far as is knownis on the northern slope of Aonach Dubh, south of the river Coe. Audio-visual display in the National Trust for Scotland Centre. Walkers exploring the surrounding area should be aware of the hazards: there have been many accidents.
O.S. Map no. 66 (Edinburgh and Midlothian Area) grid reference 396 745. The map reference covers the centre of the approximate battlefield, but it extended over a wide area. Take the A1 from Edinburgh, then turn left along the A198. Ignore all signs directing to Prestonpans itself. Monuments to Gardiner and the 1745. Follow the Scottish charge from Riggonhead.
