Scotland's ‘bloodiest battle’ to be commemorated in Musselburgh

In an annual ceremony organised by the Old Musselburgh Club, tribute will be paid and wreaths laid at the battle’s memorial stone at Crookston, off Salters Road at Wallyford.

Fought on September 10, 1547, the conflict was the last pitched battle between Scotland and England.

It took place during the Rough Wooing, when the armies of Scotland and England fought to determine who should marry the infant Mary, Queen of Scots.

The larger Scottish army attacked across the River Esk into the teeth of ferocious cavalry charges and a hail of arrows, cannon and gunshot.

The battle is significant in military history due to the pioneering combination of horse, foot and artillery, with supporting fire from naval vessels.

The ceremony, which will be held on the anniversary of the battle next Saturday (September 10), is preceded by a walk along the battlefield trail, starting at 11am at the Roman Bridge in Musselburgh.

It will be led by members of the Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield Group, chairman Roger Knox and secretary Dr Andrew Coulson.

They will take walkers to the battle’s four information boards near the Roman Bridge, at Inveresk Cemetery and, led by a piper, to the memorial stone in time for the commemoration at 1pm.

Musical tributes will be played before Ivor Highley, president of the Old Musselburgh Club, welcomes those present.

Alister Hadden, an honorary member of the club, will give an account of the battle.

Dr David H Caldwell, an archaeologist and curator who has researched the battle and those who died, will then address the crowd.

Ian Wood, club treasurer, will read 10 of the names out of the 10,000 who lost their lives in the conflict, which will be followed by an act of remembrance.

Flowers will be laid at the memorial stone by Dr Caldwell on behalf of the Old Musselburgh Club; Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie; Councillor John McMillan, Provost of East Lothian; and Arran Johnston, chairman of Scottish Battlefields Trust.