The pistol wasn’t loaded but I still felt a bit nervy taking the above image. These guys from Scotland’s Warriors are simply working to keep Scotland’s history alive. Their attire reflects that of the soldiers of the 1745 Jacobite rebellion; many wearing the blue bonnets, an ancient symbol of patriotism for their country.
This group of Scotia’s Warriors had come to one of our local castles last May to commemorate the death by execution in 1746 of William Boyd, 4th Earl of Kilmarnock. They laid a wreath for the Earl, posed for photographers and answered questions. They don their superb costumes and bring some living presence to historical events all around Scotland.
The venue was Dean Castle at Kilmarnock, the ancestral home of William Boyd, now at the centre of a large country park, popular with locals and tourists. The castle was one of the filming locations for the second season of the Outlander TV series.
This William Boyd of the town fought on the side of Bonnie Prince Charlie and was subsequently captured after the defeat at the Battle of Culloden. Following imprisonment in the Tower of London he was executed for treason against the King in 1746.
Here’s some more pics of the Warriors.
So William Boyd and his like are vividly remembered thanks in part to the continuing efforts of Scotia’s Warriors
If you’d like to see more of their activities, click this link to the Scotia’s Warriors Facebook page.
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