PREPARATION is under way for the re-enactment of the Battle of Prestonpans this month.

The annual weekend of events begins the day after the referendum vote next Thursday (September 18), and comes at a time when campaigners are waging war against plans to build on part of the original battle site.

But organisers hope to set aside concerns for a weekend as they mark the historic events which took place in and around Prestonpans in 1745.

And they have a series of events planned for the week running up to the re-enactment to get everyone in the spirit.

Tomorrow (Saturday), youngsters are invited to get their swords and shields ready for battle at Prestongrange Museum.

From 12.30pm until 3.30pm a workshop will be held for young Highlanders to decorate their own battle sets ahead of the re-enactment weekend. Then they will be invited to take them to the camps, during the following weekend, where Bonnie Prince Charlie will be waiting to welcome new recruits and judge their efforts.

The afternoon is open for people to drop in and the shield and sword sets cost £5.

On Sunday, historian Arran Johnston will give an illustrated talk at the museum about the battle, exploring what happened.

The talk starts at 2pm and costs £3.60 per person, with refreshments available. To book a place call 0131 653 2904 or email prestongrange@btconnect.com The Prestonpans Tapestry is going on display at two locations from Wednesday until the end of the month.

Part one of the tapestry, which depicts Bonnie Prince Charlie’s march to Edinburgh and raising of an army, will be on show at the museum, in the Power House.

The second part of the tapestry, depicting the battle, will be at the Prestoungrange Gothenburg.

There will also be an exhibition of paintings commissioned by the trust from local artist Andrew Hillhouse in Cockenzie House.

The re-enactment weekend begins at 7pm next Friday (September 19), as the re-enactors join the opening parade leaving the Greenhills and heading to the Gothenburg.

At 5am next Saturday the Riggonhead March will see the Jacobites make their way from Tranent down to the battlefield, with the living history camp opening at the Greenhills at 11am.

People will get a chance to meet the soldiers, watch displays and learn about the lives of the people involved. The main battle is at 3pm.

On Sunday there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the 1745 memorial cairn at Meadowmill at 10am, and the camp will reopen for a second day of displays and entertainment before a second re-enactment of the battle, at 3pm.

The camp will close on both days at 4.30pm.