Killiecrankie 2015
Back in 2015 i took a wee trip to Killiekrankie with the boys of Oireas Historical Services. They got an invite to the event and a plan was forged to head over to represent the Irish Jacobite troops who where present back in 1689 under Colonel Cannon. So with 7 guys in kit and our driver in toe off we went. Oireas was invited due to the work they had been doing on the "War of the three Kings" (1689-91) and the ability to represent native speaking troops of the Jacobite army...
Logistics
Thankfully i only had to turn up for the bus and fire a musket. Many people dont realise the organisational head wreck, organising one of these events actually is, people promising to go and then not turning up or life gets in the way or paperwork doesn't come through etc....but one thing is for sure anyone who can manage to wrangle a disparate group of desperado's together is a genius if you ask me!!!!! So with a bus sourced we loaded it up and off we went
Friday
Being based in Donegal, going to Scotland is actually fairly straight forward travel wise as you can get the Ferry in Belfast or Larne. But it is a long trip to Killiecrankie from the Ferry.... My Friday was a 5am wake up, out to the rendezvous point, pack the minibus and hit the road for 7:30, to be in Belfast for 10am, with a 11:30 departure and then the long drive north from Cairnryan, through Ayrshire to Killiecrankie, doing a pick up outside Glasgow and then onwards to the event, passing the Robbie Burns museum, Bannockburn and Stirling Castle on the way.
We finally reached the camp about 5-6pm, those who had B&B headed off to those after we where set up. I stayed in the "tilt of the Bridge" hotel while the driver and Michael stayed in the "Silverhowe" B&B in Pitlochry (a beautiful picturesque village), which is almost alpine looking. We had a meal in "Veronica's" restaurant in the centre of the Pitlochry (amazing food, staff and wine BTW).
Saturday
the morning started off a little late due to the usual confusion and human frailty (me sleeping in). But once the initial hurdle was navigated, we settled in for a day of horsemanship, highland Charges and lots of shooting. The site of the event was on a low flat plateaux above the River Garry, overlooked by the "braes of Killiekrankie", it is nothing if not very dramatic (unfortunately the photos dont truly show this), with the rising crags around us, like some sort of Alpine pass and the odd low flying C130 zipping up the valley.
So the event consisted of 4 infantry shows and 4 horse displays under the direction of Alan Larsen (le Grande Cavalier!)... i would say the event had a very jovial or "a bit of craic" feel to it, apart from the serious bits. Other groups there were "Loudan's" and "North Irish Dragoons". The main ganger man was Dale (a fantastic chap), he ran a tight ship but was very easy to work with. My main difficulty was as i haven't done much re-enactment since i jacked it in about 4 years ago, i haven't done much shooting or hand to hand combat (which i am wary of anyway).
Sunday
This started about 9am usual thing of getting ready, geared, fed and watered. Before each show we had a warning and Dale in his organisational genius had his blackboard on his tent with the running order etc. For me the highlight was the way in which everyone worked so well together, no issues, except when big Rory suggested that us Irish where a bit whimpy when it came to drinking whiskey, so the craic was mighty.
So once we got the final Show completed we broke camp, loaded up and hauled ass to the Ferry...the only thing we didn't do was the walk to the memorial (next time?)...but we did get a personalised tour of the battlefield which was fascinating.....thanks to all involved in getting us there and Dale who was a star and an absolute gentleman!
Back in 2015 i took a wee trip to Killiekrankie with the boys of Oireas Historical Services. They got an invite to the event and a plan was forged to head over to represent the Irish Jacobite troops who where present back in 1689 under Colonel Cannon. So with 7 guys in kit and our driver in toe off we went. Oireas was invited due to the work they had been doing on the "War of the three Kings" (1689-91) and the ability to represent native speaking troops of the Jacobite army...
Logistics
Thankfully i only had to turn up for the bus and fire a musket. Many people dont realise the organisational head wreck, organising one of these events actually is, people promising to go and then not turning up or life gets in the way or paperwork doesn't come through etc....but one thing is for sure anyone who can manage to wrangle a disparate group of desperado's together is a genius if you ask me!!!!! So with a bus sourced we loaded it up and off we went
Friday
Being based in Donegal, going to Scotland is actually fairly straight forward travel wise as you can get the Ferry in Belfast or Larne. But it is a long trip to Killiecrankie from the Ferry.... My Friday was a 5am wake up, out to the rendezvous point, pack the minibus and hit the road for 7:30, to be in Belfast for 10am, with a 11:30 departure and then the long drive north from Cairnryan, through Ayrshire to Killiecrankie, doing a pick up outside Glasgow and then onwards to the event, passing the Robbie Burns museum, Bannockburn and Stirling Castle on the way.
 |
| far away hills look blue |
 |
| the ferry ;¬( |
 |
| castle along the road |
 |
| Stirling castle |
 |
| Sean admiring the view |
 | |
| ...your in the right place shur |
We finally reached the camp about 5-6pm, those who had B&B headed off to those after we where set up. I stayed in the "tilt of the Bridge" hotel while the driver and Michael stayed in the "Silverhowe" B&B in Pitlochry (a beautiful picturesque village), which is almost alpine looking. We had a meal in "Veronica's" restaurant in the centre of the Pitlochry (amazing food, staff and wine BTW).
Saturday
the morning started off a little late due to the usual confusion and human frailty (me sleeping in). But once the initial hurdle was navigated, we settled in for a day of horsemanship, highland Charges and lots of shooting. The site of the event was on a low flat plateaux above the River Garry, overlooked by the "braes of Killiekrankie", it is nothing if not very dramatic (unfortunately the photos dont truly show this), with the rising crags around us, like some sort of Alpine pass and the odd low flying C130 zipping up the valley.
 |
| Alan giving it large |
 |
| charge |
 |
| Hi Hoe! |
 |
| the camp |
 | |
| the tents, a smoky fire and hands in the pockets, re-enactment! |
 |
| na seanachie as Albann |
 |
| make up your own mind... |
So the event consisted of 4 infantry shows and 4 horse displays under the direction of Alan Larsen (le Grande Cavalier!)... i would say the event had a very jovial or "a bit of craic" feel to it, apart from the serious bits. Other groups there were "Loudan's" and "North Irish Dragoons". The main ganger man was Dale (a fantastic chap), he ran a tight ship but was very easy to work with. My main difficulty was as i haven't done much re-enactment since i jacked it in about 4 years ago, i haven't done much shooting or hand to hand combat (which i am wary of anyway).
Sunday
This started about 9am usual thing of getting ready, geared, fed and watered. Before each show we had a warning and Dale in his organisational genius had his blackboard on his tent with the running order etc. For me the highlight was the way in which everyone worked so well together, no issues, except when big Rory suggested that us Irish where a bit whimpy when it came to drinking whiskey, so the craic was mighty.
 |
| the marker stone where the Bonnie Dundee met his maker |
 |
| the heights around Pitlochry |
 |
| on the plateaux below the escarpment |
 |
| up the brae |
 |
| taking a tramp to the brae of Killiekrankie |
 |
| the battle explained |
 |
| the ramble army |
 |
| our intrepid guide |
 |
| way back from battlefield tour |
 |
| Michael |
 |
| Tomas |
So once we got the final Show completed we broke camp, loaded up and hauled ass to the Ferry...the only thing we didn't do was the walk to the memorial (next time?)...but we did get a personalised tour of the battlefield which was fascinating.....thanks to all involved in getting us there and Dale who was a star and an absolute gentleman!
This sounds great, are you going to post photos here?
ReplyDelete