Prestonpans gears up for biggest battle re-enactment yet

THE original fight was over in 15 minutes but this year's Battle of Prestonpans is set to last slightly longer.

Organisers of this weekend's Battle of Prestonpans re-enactment hope to draw their biggest crowds ever by stretching the event over two days for the first time.

The re-enactments, organised by the Battle of Prestonpans Heritage Trust, have become an annual event to celebrate the anniversary of the famous battle, which took place on September 21, 1745.

It saw Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobites resoundingly beat the government troops, led by Sir John Cope, in just a quarter of an hour.

The main battle re- enactments will take place at 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday at Cuthill Park in Prestonpans.

Arran Johnston, the Battle Trust's executive trustee who will play the key role of Bonnie Prince Charlie, said: "We are thrilled with the scale of this year's battle anniversary celebrations, which promise to be a great day out for the whole family."

More than 150 re- enactors armed with muskets and cannons will descend on Prestonpans.

There is also a schedule of military drills and displays throughout both days and large living history encampments.

The weekend starts early on Saturday morning with a dawn march along the Riggonhead Defile, starting at 4.45am from Tranent Co-op car park. A ceilidh is scheduled later that day at Prestonpans Community Centre.

The Prestonpans Tapestry, the football pitch-sized depiction of the battle unveiled in July after 25,000 hours of work, is also making a triumphant return to its home town for the celebrations following a tour around the country.

It will be on display at Prestonpans Community Centre from Friday to Sunday between 11am and 5pm.

This will be the first time the massive 104-metre tapestry has been on public display in its home town.

Mr Johnston, who accompanied the tapestry on its summer tour, added: "I know that a great many people are itching to see the tapestry, with it being on public display in Prestonpans for the first time.

"The reception it has received over the summer on our tour has been overwhelming.

"Not only have we had astonishing numbers attending, even in the smallest communities and venues, but everyone has been really impressed by the quality of work.

"It is a real tribute to Andrew Crummy, the artist who researched and designed the panels, and the 200 stitchers who dedicated so much of their time and skill to the project."

Sections of the tapestry are scheduled to be on display at the Scottish Parliament from December 14-16 and in its entirety at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in January.