The Artizan army were forced to split their forces today. While Edward Bruce, General Robert Keith and Stout Duncan manned the fort at the Scribblers Picnic event with the King’s sisters: Elizabeth, Margaret, Isabel, Christina, Queen mother Marjorie Countess of Carrick and Bishop Wishart, King Robert headed for Gillies Hill with his Queen Elizabeth, generals Thomas Randolph and William Wallace, sister Mary and Isobella countess of Buchan in protecting the site and memory of the famous hill during the battle of Bannockburn. History lies everywhere on the ancient Gillies Hill.

The very name proclaims its most enduring link with the past: the gillies- the Gaelic word gille refers to a servant or young boy-who were the camp followers of Bruce’s army in 1314. These he ordered, for safety onto the long sloping hill above where he raised his standard at the borestone. Legend has it that these ‘sma folk’ as they were termed by the poet Barbour, made a decisive and dramatic intervention at a crucial stage during the battle. Banging their pots and pans, waving cloth like flags, they descended onto the battle field at Bannockburn and to English eyes they were fresh unwearied Scottish troops. In Cambusbarron itself, it is said Bruce came to the local chapel the day before the battle, a Sunday, taking sacrament and to drink from its renowned holy well.

As the years before, locals of all ages managed the walk through this beautiful forest in demonstration to a possible Quarry being opened up. This area should be a world heritage centre as Stirling is the heart and crucible of Scotland because the decisive battles fought on this soil made the Scots an independent country. It was a great honour for the Artizans to participate in this years walk with our fellow patriots and we will continue to do so until Gillies Hill is secure as a monument to Scotland’s history.

Congratulations to all who made the walk braving at times muddy and slippery tracks underfoot.

Well done my fellow Artizans.

By Paul Hunter