Press release -
Bringing Bannockburn to life is child's play!
Storytellers and clans people from across the world will descend upon Stirling this June to bring Bannockburn to life for children at the 700th anniversary of the famous battle.
The Bannockburn Live children’s programme, announced today, includes over a hundred storytellers, living historians, musicians, puppeteers, acting groups, battle performers, artists and musicians, all with the aim of inspiring children to explore a mecca of Scottish and English medieval history.
From crown making to puppetry, medieval fashion to singing, archaeology to eagles – children of all ages will be encouraged to immerse themselves in 1314, uncovering what life would have been like for young people in the 14th century.
Highlights of the children’s programme include:
- Macastory presents Bannockbunkum: Hear untold stories of how the Wars of Independence were fought and won while joining in with sing-a-long songs and battle re-enactments!
- History with Puppets: Come face to face with Hamish the Highlander, Eddie the Knight and Pickles the Bear and hear their historic tales of Scotland long, long ago. Be amused by their antics and adventures.
- Barrels , Bonnets and Bishops: A very strange and amusing tale of excess, despair and audacity of Scotland's laziest squire. Hear of his adventures in a fishing boat and how he ends up tied to a stake in the City of Carlisle.
- Arms and Armour: A highly informative demonstration of how a Knight would have been dressed, armed and armoured for the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Learn about maille, find out what a gambeson is and why a knight could have the stuffing knocked out of him .
- Garments and Grooming of the medieval woman: Fashion and grooming tips for the fashion-conscious women of medieval Scotland. Find out the differences in clothes and grooming between rich and poor women and learn what a nosegay is and how to use it.
- Sounds Fine to me: Ever wonder what medieval music sounded like and what it was actually played on? Come and hear the enchanting and exciting sounds of medieval music as it was in days gone by.
- Meet the Doomster: Dare you come face to face with "The Doomster", the executioner for the King? Listen as he tells of what punishment would fit what crime and how simply gossiping or nagging could land you in trouble. "Nae Greeting an Nae Fearties" (Not for the feint hearted)
- The King Jester: Be entertained and amused by the King's Jester Angus McLaff as he juggles and excites with his array of stunts and japes. Amazing trickery and close up magic.
- 1314 Encampment: Witness armour and swords being made in the Blacksmith's, smell the bread baking over fires in the outdoor kitchens, gasp as men are treated in hospital as they come off the battlefield and speak to the warriors about their skills and strategies.
- ‘The Battle’: Battles will take place at 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm, Choreographed by Clanranald, famous for their work on Hollywood blockbusters Gladiator, Robin Hood and Thor 2; this will be the largest event of its nature ever seen in Scotland.
- National Trust for Scotland: NTS will be offering activities for budding archaeologists and charcoal artists, young and old. There will also be displays and information on countryside properties and more about their archaeology team and what they get up to.
- Eagles, falcons, owls and hawks with A1 Pegasus Hawking: An interactive display of awe-inspiring birds of prey.
‘Family’ will also play an important part within the Clan and Family village of Bannockburn Live where visitors can discover their ancestral roots with ScotlandsPeople. 39 clans will be in attendance from all over the world - from the Stewarts to the MacFarlanes, Wallaces to the MacDonalds and visitors will also be able to meet the eminent Bruce family, direct descendants of King Robert the Bruce.
Those not linked directly to a clan group, can discover their family tree at a special on-site genealogy centre and visitors will also get the opportunity to find out if they were related to anyone that fought at the Battle thanks to the Strathclyde University’s Bannockburn Genealogy Research Project which uses DNA testing.
Caroline Packman, Director of Homecoming Scotland, said: “Bannockburn Live will be a spectacular feast of entertainment and music for young and old with a breathtaking myriad of culture, colour and fun for all the family. We hope this event will inspire everyone to explore not only Scotland’s medieval past but their own ancestral history, and we’re delighted that there is so much for little warriors to do!”
Ron Fairweather from Macastory said: “We are incredibly thrilled to be performing at Bannockburn Live, and like Robert the Bruce’s spider encourage people to try try and try again to get tickets and be part of this amazing event.”
Scott Malcolm, age nine, said: “I can't wait to go to Bannockburn Live. It sounds so exciting. We learned about Robert the Bruce and the Battle of Bannockburn at school and it will be amazing to see so many warriors fighting the battle live in front of our eyes. I am also looking forward to seeing some big birds of prey up close, getting my face painted and eating lots of yummy Scottish food!”
Bannockburn Live is one of over 800 events in the Homecoming Scotland 2014 programme which include the Forth Bridges Festival, Whisky Month, John Muir Festival, Ryder Cup Concert, World Sheepdog Trials and the MTV Europe Music Awards.
From Friday 27 – Sunday 29 June, all eyes will be on Stirling as it hosts a spectacular weekend of events including Pipefest (27 June), the Armed Forces Day National Event (28 June) and Bannockburn Live (28-29 June). The weekend provides an unmissable showcase of 700 years of history, pride in our armed forces, and will create a significant tourism boost to the city and surrounding area in 2014, the year of Homecoming Scotland.
Bannockburn Live will run from 10am – 7pm on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June. Tickets are available at www.bannockburnlive.com Adults (14yrs+) £20; Children (5-13yrs) £12.50; Family ticket £55.00; Children under 5 yrs go free. Up to 20,000 tickets are available for the weekend. Please note: King’s Tickets are now sold out for both days. Due to capacity, the new Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre (opened in March 2014) will only be open to King’s Ticket Holders holders during the Bannockburn Live event.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Kate Turnbull
Corporate Press Manager
0131 472 2324
Out of hours media enquiries: 07699 766986
Topics
- Entertainment
Categories
- corporate communications
- homecoming 2014
- bannockburnlive
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors:
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- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
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- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com
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- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
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