Prestonpans: Difference between revisions

In 2008 the Trust commissioned Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division ("GUARD") to undertake a comprehensive survey, followed by selective excavation, of the battlefield.<ref name=pollard2008>{{cite web|url=http://www.prestoungrange.org/heritagetrust/html/documents/PrestonpansPD_revised_.pdf|title=Prestonpans battlefield archaeological project|last=Pollard|first=Tony|author-link=Tony Pollard (archaeologist)|author2=Ferguson, Natasha|year=2008|publisher=Centre for Battlefield Archaeology, University of Glasgow|access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref> Although the site of the main battlefield is readily located today, fixed by such surviving features as the tramway embankment, interim findings announced in April 2010 indicate that the true site of the Highlanders' charge, based on concentrations of musket balls and other evidence, is 500 yards to the east of the accepted location ({{Coord|55.964|-2.947|display=inline|format=dms}}).<ref name="Pollard2010">{{cite web|url=http://www.what2doineh32.info/heritagetrust/html/documents/2815finalreport_26Jan10_.pdf|title=Prestonpans Battlefield Project Report|last=Pollard|first=Tony|author2=Ferguson, Natasha|date=26 February 2010|publisher=Glasgow University Archaeological Division|access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Charge-of-the-right-brigade.6241186.jp|title=Charge of the right brigade: true site of Battle of Prestonpans found|last=MacLeod|first=Fiona|date=21 April 2010|work=The Scotsman |location=UK|access-date=13 June 2010}}</ref> The battlefield has been [[Inventory of Historic Battlefields in Scotland|inventoried]] and protected by [[Historic Scotland]] under the Scottish Historical Environment Policy of 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/heritage/battlefields/battlefieldsunderconsideration.htm |title= Inventory battlefields|publisher=Historic Scotland | access-date=12 April 2012}}</ref>

 

[[File:Battle of Prestonpans viewpoint 2017-05-28.jpg|thumbnail|Viewpoint at Meadowmill]]

The battlefield benefits from a pyramidal viewpoint sculpted from an old coal bing at Meadowmill, atop which flies Prince Charlie's battle flag to mark where a series of interpretation boards can be found. There are a further seven information panels around the battlefield, regular guided walks and commemorative events. With support from ''Bord na Gaidhlig'' road and walkway signage now includes the Gaelic which was spoken by the majority of Highlanders at the battle. The Doocot at Bankton House now acts as an interpretation site for the life of Colonel Gardiner.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.battleofprestonpans1745.org/visit/places-to-visit/bankton-doocot/|title=Bankton Doocot|publisher=The Battle of Prestonpans (1945) Heritage Trust|access-date=1 November 2022}}</ref>