Bannockburn

Bannockburn, a Stirlingshire village of 2000 inhabitants, 3 miles SSE. of Stirling, on the Bannock Burn, a little affluent of the Forth. It is an important seat of the woollen manufactures, especially of carpets and tartans. Tanning is carried on to some extent, and the neighbouring villages are noted for the manufacture of nails; whilst coal abounds in the vicinity. In the great battle of Bannockburn, fought on Monday, 24th June 1314, Robert Bruce, with 30,000 Scotch, gained a signal victory over Edward II., with 100,000 English, and secured his throne and the independence of Scotland. The English are said to have lost 30,000, and the Scotch 8000 men. The 'Bore Stone,' on which Bruce is said to have fixed his standard on that eventful day, is still to be seen on an eminence; and near it is a flagstaff, 120 feet high, erected in 1870. Not far off was fought the battle of Sauchieburn (q.v.). See R. White's Battle of Bannockburn (Edin. 1871).