Honouring one of Scotland's great heroes — 2011 Bruce Festival launched
Fit for a king — Dunfermline, the final resting place of Robert the Bruce, staked its claim as the modern home of his legend when the 2011 Bruce Festival was launched in front of its medieval abbey on Tuesday.
Plaster cast of the skull of King Robert the Bruce on display in Dunfermline Abbey Church.
- By Leeza Clark
- Published in the Courier : 01.06.11
- Published online : 01.06.11 @ 11.34am
This year's line-up has some new additions that will bring the Bruce story to life in dramatic style, placing the event as the focal point for the celebration of one of Scotland's greatest heroes.
With the support of historians, business leaders, Event Scotland and Bruce's descendant the Earl of Elgin, the launch confirmed Dunfermline's determination to compete on the national stage as a centre of culture and heritage.
This year's showpiece is A Legendary Walk Through Time, a theatrical tour of the glen, evoking the legends of medieval Scotland guided by Bruce's ghost, performed by Living History.
An equestrian show, medieval banquet, storytelling workshops and concerts in the abbey were also announced at the launch, giving a depth to the festival to attract visitors from across the UK to Scotland's ancient capital.
The Earl of Elgin's family home, Broomhall, is just outside Dunfermline.
He said, "The Bruce Festival brings to life this wonderful story of one of Scotland's greatest heroes.
"It is important that people can sample the harsh touch of medieval Scotland and understand what life would have been like 700 years ago.
"Dunfermline is a marvellous setting for the festival and we're pleased to welcome visitors from all over Scotland and further afield."
Robert the Bruce is buried in Dunfermline Abbey and despite west Fife's royal links and strategic importance, it is often overlooked by visitors and history enthusiasts in favour of Edinburgh and Stirling.
The Bruce Festival is the only celebration of its kind in Scotland and gives a modern relevance to this period of Scottish history that validates Dunfermline's claim to be contemporary home to the Bruce story.
Susan Hughes, chief executive of organisers Dunfermline Delivers, said, "We're immensely proud of Dunfermline's connections with Bruce and the festival is becoming an event of national importance.
"As a spectacle for visitors it has something for everyone and we believe that we've made Dunfermline the best place to celebrate the Robert the Bruce story."
She added, "With the 700th anniversary of Bannockburn on the horizon and the second year of Homecoming in 2014, it's a great opportunity to bring more and more visitors to Dunfermline which in turn provides a big boost to the local economy."
Staged on August 26-28 in Pittencrieff Park, the event centres on the recreation of an authentic medieval village which attracted over 16,000 visitors last year.
A food fayre celebrating Fife's local produce hosted by chef Christopher Trotter will be among the attractions, alongside battle reenactments performed by the Clanranald Trust and displays of archery, falconry and traditional arts and crafts.
Historian, writer and broadcaster Fiona Watson said, "Dunfermline's place in Scottish history is often underrated and it has some fantastic stories to tell, including that of Robert the Bruce.
"It's important that history is something that is enjoyable and relevant to today's generation and the Bruce Festival really brings alive the drama of medieval Scotland."
The festival is supported by Fife Council, EventScotland, main private sponsor The Alfred Stewart Property Foundation and media partner The Courier.
For more information see visitdunfermline.com.
12.14pm - 01.06.2011 Anither Bruce - Bannockburn, Scotland Report This
Where did they get 'Bruce'? Was he an unlucky passer-by who had a costume thrown at him? I think the spider would have eaten him for breakfast.
04.21pm - 02.06.2011 Toothsome - Forfar, Scotland Report This
Mebbe it's a bit late to mention it to the big man but the Bruce looks like he was needing a good check-up at the dentist. Mon the NHS!
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