Stirling Castle to host ancient ‘rap battle’

Stirling Castle will host the ancient Scots art form known as flyting - the 16th century equivalent of a rap battle. Picture: Robert Perry

The art form known as flyting is the 16th-century equivalent of a rap battle and the “explosive” language used means the event is billed as suitable for adults only.

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The traditional Scottish poetic practice pits two people head to head in a war of words, often composed of witty insults laced with vulgar language.

Now, Historic Scotland is bringing the battle back for a one-off event at Stirling Castle on Friday.

Costumed performers will recreate the famous 1504 flyting between two of King James IV’s makars - William Dunbar and Walter Kennedy.

Re-enactors will enter into a heated exchange - originally played out in front of the court of James IV - laced with simile, metaphor, learning and alliteration, until the court votes to choose which poet loses the verbal joust.

Visitors will be welcomed to the castle’s Great Hall by a Renaissance musician before having the opportunity to learn more about flyting, which is thought to date back to medieval times.

And experts from the Scottish Language Dictionaries will be on hand to analyse the battle of the bards, exploring the use of colourful language.

Historic Scotland’s assistant events and filming manager, Alison Stalker, said: “This truly unique event will see a traditionally Scottish genre of poetry brought into the 21st Century.

“Visitors will have the opportunity to experience a battle through the use of language, quick quips and witty remarks in addition to learning more about the famous flyting of Dunbar and Kennedy whilst hearing expert post-fight analysis.

“This is an event not to be missed by any budding wordsmiths.”

The event has been created in partnership with Previously...Scotland’s History Festival and festival director, Susan Morrison, said: “This is bringing the flyting home.

“James IV was a remarkably cultured patron of the arts who encouraged his craftsmen, painters and poets to reach new levels of creative achievement.

“The Great Hall is the perfect setting for this fantastic performance of this wonderful art form, with its particularly Scottish trait of high-flow imagery and explosive language.”

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