The Battle of Corrichie re-enactment

We had a terrific day in the field next to Milton of Crathes watching a re-enactment of The Battle of Corrichie: a bloody clash in Aberdeenshire between the forces of Mary Queen of Scots against the Earl of Huntly on the 28th October 1562. There was also a fascinating living history camp, a birds of prey demonstration, a drum performance, story-telling and more.

I thoroughly enjoyed the living history camp. I’d love to do this – dress up and spend a few days living as people in the past living. This lady is making cord from wool using a device called a lucet. I want to try that now.

This is the cook making lunch for all the historical campers. There are oat cakes, a pie made with beef, pork, and chicken. and stewing on the fire behind him is a cabbage-carrot mix for the peasants.

Here’s the Earl of Moray waiting to go into battle.

The Marquise of Huntly is lecturing us on Scottish fashions at the time and dismissing the idea that Scots wore tartan blankets. She emphatically said they did not. As a wealthy woman she is wearing black. Poor people wear grey and brown. She also has a silk kirtle (dress), which would have been imported, under the gown. The colourful man in the foreground was a gallowglass, an elite warrior. His dress is typical of someone from the western highlands.

We all got to have a go with some weapons.

Elizabeth was the best warrior!

And we were punished in the pillory while 16th century insults were hurled at us. Ben and Daniel were too chicken to try it. I was punished for releasing a bunch of chickens which is apt for a vegan animals rights activist. How did they know?

Elizabeth was punished for stealing apples.

I have to say it was rather unpleasant just for the minute or so I was in it. I can’t imagine being forced to remain in one for several days while being whipped at the same time and in some cases having your ears nailed to the wood. What dreadful humans we were in the past.

The bird of prey demonstration was fantastic. What magnificent birds! This is a kite.

Here’s Morgana, a juvenile bald eagle.

She was so magnificent I couldn’t stop taking photos of her.

There was an adult bald eagle too.

And then the battle began! The Battle of Corrichie was fought on the 28th October, 1562 on the Hill of Fare just outside Banchory. The army of Mary Queen of Scots fought the Earl of Huntly who had lost the earldoms of Moray and Mar. The new Earl of Moray was the half-brother of Mary Queen of Scots so likely a bit of nepotism there. The Earl of Huntly wasn’t happy, negotiations broke down, and they fought at Corrichie where Mary Queen of Scots was victorious. Here she is coming onto the battle field.

And then the fighting began!

The event was organised by St Nicholas Productions and the Leys Charitable Trust with proceeds from the day going to community causes including the Loch of Leys restoration.