Bannockburn

Bannockburn has had a lot of work done to it for this year. The new battle room requires timed tickets purchased in advance. Given the anniversary it is probably worth contacting the National Trust for Scotland directly to see if tickets are required. I'd imagine it will be very busy this year.

MC didn't they build a whole new visitor center a few years ago? My sister and I wet decades ago and there wasn't much there then other than a really big statue of Robert the Bruce, some flags and few placards with the history. I thought I read somewhere that it was re-done a few years in advance of this year's celebration. Also, is there an easy bus ride out to Bannockburn from Stirling? I've always thought there was, but never really looked into it as I personally didn't need it and no one ever seemed to jump on my suggestions to see the battlefield. They may have done what I did the last few times--stand on the battlements of Stirling Castle and squint at the horizon in hopes of seeing the flag. :)

Pam

Pamela, yes they did. The new visitor centre is the reason, a simulator of the battle etc, that you need the timed ticket. From the news etc I think the NTS has thrown everything at Bannockburn this year. I also understand Bannockburn is easily accessible by public transport, the centre is on a main road out of the city centre and Bannockburn proper has a reasonable population.

The Bannockburn 3day festival celebrating the 700th anniversary of the battle is on the weekend of June 27. The new Bannockburn centre opens a few days before that, but if I understand the website correctly, won't be open during the festival unless you buy tickets to the re enactments etc. We will be in stirling a few days, but a priority was to take a day trip into Glasgow to see the kelvingrove gallery. I think we may just wait till we get there to see what works best.