Free event for kids celebrates Scottish history including legendary hero's jousting battle

Daily Record

2 days ago

The occasion lets all ages experience Scottish history in a fun, immersive way.
Visitors to the Highlands will be transported back in time this month as a dramatic jousting re-enactment starring Robert the Bruce is set to take place at Fort George near Inverness.
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The historic showdown is part of 'Celebration of the Centuries', a two-day event hosted by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) on Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10. Held at one of the largest Georgian fortresses in Europe, the family-friendly weekend promises an immersive journey through more than 2,000 years of Scottish history.
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Among the highlights will be a staged clash between two towering figures of the nation's past: Robert the Bruce, the former king who led Scotland to independence in the early 1300s, and Sir James Douglas, his fiercely loyal ally during the Wars of Independence.
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Gillian Urquhart, events manager at HES, said: 'Celebration of the Centuries at Fort George is one of our most popular summer events, where families and people of all ages have the chance to engage with history in an immersive, exciting way.
"From warriors and weavers to nobles and knights, it's a celebration of Scotland throughout the ages.'
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The jousting spectacle is just one part of the packed programme. Visitors can explore living history camps filled with characters from across the centuries, from Pictish warriors and Roman soldiers to medieval nobles and tradespeople.
The fortress itself offers a fitting backdrop for the event. Constructed after the Jacobite rising of 1745 to help control the Highlands, Fort George has played a key role in Scotland's military history.
Its current structure replaced an earlier fort that had been besieged during the rebellion.
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The site is also featured in HES's 'Historic Places, Breathing Spaces' campaign, which promotes the mental wellbeing benefits of spending time at heritage landmarks.
Fort George site manager John Gibbon has developed a walking guide highlighting tranquil locations within the grounds.
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Celebration of the Centuries will run from 11am to 5pm on both days. All performances and activities are included in the standard admission price, which starts at £14 for adults, while children under seven can enter for free.
The jousting tournament brings to life two of the most iconic figures in Scottish history. Robert the Bruce, born in 1274, was crowned King of Scots in 1306 and led the country to victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
His efforts culminated in the Treaty of Northampton in 1328, which formally recognised Scotland's independence.
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Sir James Douglas, known as the Black Douglas, was born around 1286 and became a feared figure among the English thanks to his daring raids and battlefield exploits.
A staunch supporter of Bruce, he famously destroyed his own castle at Douglas in 1307 in what became known as the 'Douglas Larder'.
Douglas commanded forces at Bannockburn and captured key strongholds such as Roxburgh Castle. Shortly before his death in 1329, Bruce asked Douglas to carry his heart to the Holy Land.
Douglas set out in 1330 but was killed in battle against the Moors in Spain, still carrying the silver casket containing the king's heart.