Scotland’s historical battlefields have a new champion, as a new protection group has been launched to shield them from advancing modern developers.
The Scottish Battlefields Trust (BFT) was established yesterday by a group of history enthusiasts across Scotland to promote and protect the sites of historical battles across the country.
Formed as an independent body, the new group aim to provide impartial information advice to communities, individuals or authorities about battlefields and how to protect them from harm.
Arran Johnston, a professional historian and acting director of the trust, said: “We were created following a series of high level threats to famous historical sites such as Culloden and Prestonpans from industrial developers.
“As it stands there is no legal lock to building on a historical battlefield, so first of all without this statutory protection our aim is to protect these sites by working with local communities and authorities who want to protect them.
“Unfortunately there is no obligation to consult with any historical society prior to trying to build on a battlefield in Scotland, so our long-term goal is to become a statutory consultee, meaning that people will be able to receive impartial advice, free from any interference from political parties or governments.
“In the meantime we will be lobbying on a case by case basis for different battlefields under threat from developers.”
Mr Johnston added that the newly founded organisation also wants to promote battlefields as educational sites for their local communities.
He added: “Of course we don’t just want to be naysayers who attempt to block tiny little details like an extra foot of garage being put on the corner of a battlefield, we really want to make the positive case for preserving Scotland’s battlefields.
“Our battlefields are rich heritage sites, and can provide massive educational and landscape benefits to communities.
“Each and every battlefield in this country has its own unique story, and unfortunately if they don’t have protection, once they’re gone, they’re gone.”
The SBT is actively seeking new members to join their fight in the battle for battlefields, and new recruits can sign up at www.scottishbattlefields.org