Published: Thursday, 18th March, 2010 7:00am
Protection sought for Dunbar battlefield
by Sam Berkeley
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A BID to preserve an historic Dunbar battlefield has been launched.
The site of the Battle of Dunbar - a key military engagement fought between Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army and an army loyal to King Charles II in 1650 - has gone underappreciated, claim campaigners, with little being done to promote the battlefield other than an inscribed stone languishing at its periphery.
But a fresh drive to publicise the battle - and encourage tourism - could get underway if a £7,500 funding application to Big Lottery Fund offshoot 'Investing in Ideas' gets the go-ahead.
If successful, the cash would bankroll a feasibility study that could potentially herald the opening of an dedicated interpretative centre.
"It would be very similar to the Flag Heritage Centre in Athelstaneford, which is unmanned and very popular with tourists," said ward councillor Paul McLennan, who has helped to kick-start the latest bid to recognise the battlesite.
"At the moment the site is only marked by an inscribed stone but we would like to see it preserved and maybe even try to build a small centre close to the site."
Mr McLennan said the feasibility study would also consider: l How investigations and study of the battlefield might be taken forward;
l The most effective way to site can be preserved;
l The development of educational programmes to encourage people to learn about the battle and how this may be presented; and,
l Potentially creating a memorial for fallen soldiers of the battle.
County historian Roy Pugh has also lent his backing to the plan and revealed world-renowned archeologist Tony Pollard had been persuaded to examine the battlesite.
"I would be very much for it," said Mr Pugh, who lives in Haddington. "It's such an important battle in the history of Scotland. Archeologist Tony Pollard from Glasgow University is doing a preliminary study of the site in Dunbar."
And he added: "The [battlesite] is all fairly untouched land and there's enough of it left to justify recognising it. I argue in my books that the two battles that took place in Dunbar [1650 and 1296 - against King Edward I] were important.
"It's unfortunate that Dunbar was the scene of both defeats. I can only say if there's to be a feasibilty study I would support if only it meant that what's left is not threatened by development."
The battlefield itself spans the area between Doon Hill and Broxmouth House. It is only marked with a weathered inscribed stone near teh old A1 by Broxmouth.
The outcome of the funding application is expected within a month.
