Germans march into town
THE bloody Battle of Philiphaugh will be renacted on the historic battlefield next month.
More than 30 re-enactors will arrive from Bavaria to take part in the fight – which took place on September 13, 1645 – over the weekend of August 13 and 14.
The enthusiasts arrive by bus on Thursday August 11 when Selkirk Community Council will give the volunteer musketeers from Memmingen, all dressed in 17th century attire, an official welcome at the Town Hall.
German Consul-General Wolfgang Moessinger will be in attendance along with members of the Plattling Twinning Group.
Philiphaugh Community Project manager Julie Nock said: “The Bavarians will be piped into the town and given a Selkirk welcome of haggis pies and local beverages.”
The re-enactors, who are part of the Wallenstein Group, will start their fighting displays with cannon fire at 10am.
Live commentary on the action and history will be given by the voice of Edinburgh’s Royal Military Tattoo, Alasdair Hutton, who is also Scottish Borders Council convener.
There will be regular fighting displays with musket, sword, cannon and pike from noon as more than 200 troops fight the Battle of Philiphaugh.
A living history camp will be open on both days and spectators will have the chance to visit a 17th century barber-surgeon and see instruments used to cut hair and limbs.
There will be a camp kitchen with spit-roast cooking and butter-making and soldiers’ gruel will be for sale at the Waterwheel Cafe.
Miss Nock said: “The gunner will show people how to load cannon or musket and visitors can view a range of scary objects that were used to fill the cannon.
“There will be plenty of officers, soldiers, drummers and gunners to talk to people about their craft and the camp followers will be spinning and mending with 17th century tools. Children can learn how to use a pike in one of our regular pike training boot camps.”
Tickets are £7 for adults and £1 for children.
Earlier in the week archaeologists from Glasgow’s Centre for Battlefield Archaeology, who are working as part of the redevelopment of the 1645 battlefield, return to Selkirk.
Miss Nock told us: “The archaeologists have identified what they believe to be Montrose’s trench – a ditch that was dug to house musketeers during the battle.Works begins on August 9 and the trench will be open for public viewing on the Saturday and Sunday.”
She went on: “Archaeologists will be on hand to talk to the public and show recovered artefacts. Viewing is 10-4pm both days.”
The £30,000 redevelopment project is being funded by the Scottish Borders LEADER Programme and Scottish Borders Council.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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