News

Bothwell Bridge Battlefield Threat

30 January 2008

The Battlefields Trust is objecting to a proposed housing development on part of the battlefield of Bothwell Bridge, 1679.

Although much of the site of the action is already developed or disturbed by development, the potential for interpretation and commemoration (in addition to the current memorial) exists. There is also potential for important archaeological evidence of the action to be recovered in the remaining open areas of the battlefield, including the proposed development site, as has been demonstrated by a recent archaeological survey. This was carried out subsequent to the Battlefields Trust’s report on the battlefield (available as a download at our resource-centre: see the link) and shows that archaeological evidence of the battle does exist to the north of the bridge, in the area where the Royalist forces assembled, formed battle-lines and probably opened fire. This is where the proposed housing development is planned.

The Battlefields Trust urges that what remains relatively unspoilt of this historically significant site remains so and the development proposal is turned down. If this is not the case, the very least that should be done is for the development to be put on hold while a thorough archaeological investigation can be carried out by experienced battlefield archaeologists. It is hoped that instead, on-site interpretation of the battle in which the Covenanter rebellion of 1679 was defeated by royalist forces, can be provided.

http://www.battlefieldstrust.com/resource-centre/stuart-rebellions/battleview.asp?BattleFieldId=58