The Public Enquiry into the controversial expansion of a major trunk road over the site of a famous Scottish battle has been completed and the Reporter’s dossier is ready for Scottish Government ministers.
The Public Enquiry opened in Pitlochry in January into the proposed dualling of the A9 Perth-Inverness trunk road at the famous battle site in northern Perthshire. Current proposals have the expansion pass through the battlefield and campaigners believe that the proposals, if allowed, will further encroach and obliterate archaeological artefacts.
Local campaigner, James Rattray, said: “We haven’t heard of a timescale but I suspect the decision will be made by ministers, once the coronavirus threat has been reduced. This gives us time to continue to find hard evidence highlighting issues in Transport Scotland’s case and how the ministers need to understand the destruction of the core parts of the battlefield will result if the new road goes through where Transport Scotland plans.
“We are also using the time to make our ministers aware of any new issues through our political representatives, some of whom are assisting us. For example, it is clear to us that the current Battlefield Protection Legislation really needs to be tightened up, and that has been one or our requests.”
Mr Rattray and his colleagues have already produced three videos of the story around the famous late 17th century battle and are preparing another. This one, he tells us, highlights the line of where he believes there is strong evidence as to where the battle line actually was and hence where the majority of men died that day over 331 years ago. “The big question has to be,” says James, “do our politicians believe this is worth preserving?”
The Battle of Killiecrankie was fought on July 27, 1689 and made a big impact on Gaelic culture at the time, including the composition of several pieces of ceòl mòr such as The Daughter’s Lament and Lament for the Viscount of Dundee. It is thought that pipers on Jacobite side included Patrick MacNeill Roy, John MacWilliam and Condullie Rankin.
We received a great a reponse to the Wednesday’s post which asked fora suggested caption to the the 1980s photograph of three ledendary pipers from Strathclyde Police.
Rich Lavis’ two suggestions are probably the best of the bunch. His first, noting that Jim Wark is not in shot, is “Could be a cop out” and his second is “Semper in Somno Pacis – Always Sleep in Peace.
Thanks to all who sent in suggestions.