This atmospheric spot is the site of Robert the Bruce’s famous victory over the English army of King Edward II in 1314. Despite facing a greater number of professional troops, Bruce’s men routed the English forces – a victory that meant freedom for Scotland from oppressive English rule. The sense of history here is tangible, and Bannockburn is still a focus for Scottish pride today. Visitors can find out what inspired this great Scottish victory at the Bannockburn Heritage Centre (see below) and walk the battlefield under the gaze of Robert the Bruce himself, immortalised in a statue by Pilkington Jackson.

In 2004 archaeologists found an iron arrowhead on Trust land that could well have been fired at the Battle of Bannockburn. This caused great excitement as it is the only weapon ever to have been recovered from the battlefield. History returns again throughout the summer with Living History presentations and storytelling. Then, on the third weekend in September, hundreds of Scottish forces and English troops take to the field in a major re-enactment of the Battle of Bannockburn.