Let’s commemorate Harlaw in style
I read with interest your item on the Battle of Harlaw in your November edition. You asked for suggestions to help maximise the 600th anniversary of the battle. As someone who lives close to Harlaw and with an interest in the battle itself may I make the following suggestions.
Re-erecting a memorial to Provost Davidson at or near the place where he fell. Although on farm land, the location of the original cairn is known, having been recorded by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS).
Re-erecting the memorials to Irvine of Drum and Red Hector of the Battles. The locations are also known and recorded by the RCAHMS.
Re-erecting Leslie’s Cross to commemorate, it is said, the deaths of six sons of Sir Alexander Leslie of Balquhain.
What is reputedly the Liggars’ Stane – supposedly erected to mark the burial place of the female followers of the Lord of the Isles who perished at ‘Reid Harlaw’ – has been removed from its original position and now stands sad, almost forgotten, between two gate posts near to the battlefield. Ideally the Liggars’ Stane should be treated with the respect it deserves, moved if possible and properly signposted with a suitable plaque explaining its significance.
With luck the celebrations will ensure that the battle is not forgotten and may even benefit tourism in the Garioch
Albert Thomson,
Nanaimo, St Margaret’s Wells, Lethenty, Inverurie AB51 OJN