Scotland’s first statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie astride his horse could be at the heart of a new town under plans by a battle trust

Scotland’s first statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie astride his horse could be at the heart of a new town under plans by a battle trust.

The only equestrian statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie is in Derby

The Battle of Prestonpans Trust is looking into creating the first equestrian statue of the Jacobite hero in his home country, overlooking the site of his most famous victory.

The trust has been in talks with developers who are building the new town of Blindwells in East Lothian, which lies east of Prestonpans and on part of the site of the famous battle of 1745.

And as detailed plans for the new town layout were unveiled this week, the trust revealed it hoped to have a centre dedicated to the famous battle open in the town by 2027.

Site plan showing proposed Blindwells layout

Plans to secure funding for the centre, which is expected to be in the town, begin next year and the trust has revealed it hopes to sponsor the equestrian statue as part of its efforts.

A spokesperson for the trust said: “The centre has the potential with the support already promised from VisitScotland to bring many thousands of visitors to the economic benefit of the new community and to provide an important destination for myriad school groups.

“It will also ensure significant sharing of the extraordinary cultural legacy of the prince’s victory in both English and Gaelic.

“[Applicants] Hargreaves’ plans and the potential they can deliver for our community and our heritage have the trust’s deliberate support. They demonstrate precisely the wisdom necessary to conserve and interpret the nation’s heritage that is required as society addresses its evolving needs.

Prince Charles Edward Stuart, 1720–1788.

“We are, for the record, also ambitious to sponsor Scotland’s first equestrian statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie.”

Currently the only equestrian statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie is situated at Cathedral Green, Derby, which was the furthest point south the prince reached in his bid to restore a Stuart to the throne.

The Blindwells project sees public consultations held online this week after detailed plans for the layout of the new town were released.

Hargreaves set out a proposal for 1,600 houses, along with a town centre which will be created around a body of water named The Prince’s Loch in the north of the site.

Following the public consultation, detailed planning applications are expected to be submitted to East Lothian Council.

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