Bannockburn as you've never seen it before

• An artist's impression shows a view of the proposed new Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre, designed by architects Reiach & Hall. The public can view the plans at the current heritage centre

A planning application for the centre has been lodged with Stirling Council, revealing a dramatic new look designed to "immerse the visitor in the experience of battle".

Information boards detailing the plans have now gone on display at the Bannockburn Heritage Centre, allowing members of the public to see the plans.

The centre - designed by award-winning architects Reiach & Hall - is part of a project to "enhance the presentation of the battle" and its significance to Scotland's history, plus improve the visitor facilities, in time for the 700th anniversary of the battle in 2014.

The Battle of Bannockburn Project is a joint venture between heritage agency Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland, first announced in October 2010 by Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop.

The Scottish Government awarded 5 million to the project, and an application has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for extra interpretation and landscaping works.

When it opens, the centre will bring a "cutting-edge digital interpretation to the battle" and establish the site's position as one of the most historically and culturally important places in Scotland.

Historic Scotland chief executive Ruth Parsons said: "In looking at all we want to achieve with world-class, cutting edge technology to immerse the visitor in the experience of battle, we quickly realised that the existing centre would not be able to accommodate everything we wanted.

"I am very excited to be able to unveil the new designs by Reiach & Hall. They bring with them a great empathy for what we want to achieve, and I think they have created a design that will be the perfect canvas to the exceptional interpretation we are planning to introduce."

National Trust for Scotland chief executive Kate Mavor said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to look at how we present and interpret one of the most defining moments in our history and this new centre is the first step in achieving that.

"Another key element in the design is the landscaping which will open up the views of the memorial and give them back to the people of Bannockburn, as the current building prevents you from looking straight through to the iconic statue of Robert the Bruce that is recognised around the world."

The plans will now go in front of the planning committee of Stirling Council.Visitors to the centre are able to see an outline of the designs from the architects and Ian White Associates landscape architects and a first glimpse of the interpretation concepts by Bright White.

It comes a week after lead architect Neil Gillespie was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to architecture and was made an academician by the Royal Scottish Academy.

Mr Gillespie said: "We are extremely privileged to be working with the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland at the Battle of Bannockburn, a defining moment in Scottish history and a wonderful site.

"Our project attempts to give some gravitas back to the site, concentrating attention on the story of the battle, the rotunda, the statue of Bruce and the great prospect to the north of Stirling Castle and the Ochils."