Prestonpans 22/9/07

The Battle of Prestonpans was the first significant conflict in the second Jacobite Rising. The battle took place on September 21, 1745. The Jacobite army loyal to James Francis Edward Stuart & led by his son Charles Edward Stuart defeated the army loyal to the Hanoverian George II led by Sir John Cope. It was initially known as the Battle of Gladsmuir but was fought at Prestonpans. The victory was a huge morale boost for the Jacobites & the overall message was one of Hope & Ambition in the breast of a young man and his followers...

This event saw three different groups work together in order to pay homage to the victors & the fallen at Prestonpans. This year's event was the first of it's kind & was well attended by members of all three groups namely, Siol Nan Gaidheal, Crann Tara & Na Fir Dileas. Given our different backgrounds it was good to see us united for a common cause. Long may our association continue.

      

The town of Prestonpans had a whole weekend  of events taking place & if you weren't careful, you'd run into some Redcoats in the town centre. The Prestonpans Trust, who are trying to raise funds to have a visitor centre built onsite & we wish them well in their endeavours, also had plenty of things relating to the battle going on, not a great day to be dressed as a Redcoat!

There was a memorial service to Colonel Gardiner at 10am at Bankton House followed by a re-enactment of the battle. As it was a family affair, it was well attended & enjoyed by all. The participants included members from the Glenbuchat Regiment and re-enactors from as far a field as the Czech Republic.

   

Our three groups met at 12 noon at Bankton House, where we marched three abreast led by lone piper Jim Singer from Crann Tara. Off we went to the 1745 cairn commemorating the battle just over a mile away. On route it was nice to see the locals waving & taking photographs, lovely stuff. After a short prayer flowers and wreaths were laid & a few words were said before marching off to the bing where atop  the Jacobite Standard is being flown proudly & is visible from miles around, what a great sight.

On reaching the top of the bing ,a commemoration to the battle was held, with excellent views over the whole area, a detailed account of the battle was given & it really brought to life what this day was all about. We then had speeches from representatives from each of the three groups, special mention to Ann Marie from Siol's Youth Chapter who did fantastically well. This was interspersed by music from the wonderful Ted Christopher & Kevin Wilson, braw stuff indeed!!

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