Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre Stirling, Building, Architect, Design, Scottish Project, Image

Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre, Stirling, Scotland

Battle of Bannockburn Stirling, Scotland, UK - design by Reiach and Hall

31 Jan2012 Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre News New Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre approved Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre design: image from Historic Scotland The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced a £3.9m grant to the proposed Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre to commemorate its 700th anniversary. The design is by Edinburgh architects Reiach and Hall. When construction work for the new centre at Bannockburn is confirmed, it will create an unrivalled experience for the thousands of people who visit the battle ground every year while affording dignity to this important historic site. Ground-breaking technology will be used to give visitors a true sense of the battle, from the social history of the time to medieval war craft. People will be able to interact with 3D digital images as never before, experiencing graphics which will respond with movement and commentary. Visitors will also have the chance to play their part in the battle and apply their newly acquired knowledge of tactics and weaponry to influence the outcome. Key battlefield monuments will be repaired and the setting improved, including the A-listed rotunda that is located at the site of the historic Borestone, where Robert the Bruce raised his standard at the start of the battle. The landscape will also be enhanced to re-establish important historic views, such as to Stirling Castle, which was the objective of the battle. HLF's award to Bannockburn comes on the back of a year which has seen £50million of Heritage Lottery Fund investment come to fruition in the transformation of four national tourist attractions - the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Ayrshire, the acclaimed Riverside Museum in Glasgow, and in Edinburgh, the National Museum and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. 7 Sep 2011 Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre New Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre approved Plans for the new visitor centre to showcase the Battle of Bannockburn have been granted permission by Stirling Council. The new centre has been designed by award-winning architects Reiach and Hall as part of the project to enhance the presentation of the battle and its significance to our history in time for the 700th anniversary of the battle in 2014. The ambitious project is a partnership between heritage agency Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland. National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive Kate Mavor said: “The approval of the designs for the new visitor centre means that we are one step closer to creating a world-class facility. Together with our combined expert knowledge and research the centre is set to be a welcome addition to the site’s 700 year history.” Historic Scotland Chief Executive Ruth Parsons said: “The new exhibition will use cutting edge technology to engage the visitor and give them a proper understanding of this historic battle and its significance.” 2014 will be a huge year for events in Scotland – as well as the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, we will also play host to the Commonwealth Games and The Ryder Cup. In 2009 Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs announced £5m funding for the new centre. An application for £3.8m has received a stage one pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Cllr Steven Paterson, Portfolio Holder, Empowerment and Citizenship, Stirling Council, said: “The new exhibition and heritage centre at the site of the Battle of Bannockburn will be a fantastic attraction, adding to both the visual and emotional impact of the battlefield and our understanding of all that took place here 700 years ago. “The centre’s bold and imaginative design, combining the robust exterior of textured grey brick and shiny ‘chainmail’-style black-tiled roof with a bright, welcoming interior flooded with light, will help tell the story of Stirling’s and Scotland’s heritage. It will truly bring the history of the Battle of Bannockburn to life for local people and visitors to Stirling from across the world.” Cllr Scott Farmer, Stirling Council Portfolio Holder for Economy, Tourism and Finance, said: “Stirling will be at the heart of so many of the special events taking place in 2014 – above all the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn. We must make sure that we use this unique opportunity to create lasting economic benefits for our whole area. “The new Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre will help us do that, strengthening Stirling’s ‘must see’ appeal for visitors from home and abroad. It’s another example of how we are continually improving the quality of all that Stirling has to offer. “I congratulate the Scottish Government for this significant investment during these challenging economic times. This is an inspirational decision, promoting a positive, can do agenda for both Stirling and Scotland as a whole.” Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre image / information from Historic Scotland Previously: 20 Jun 2011 Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre Design First sight of new Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre plans The designs for the new visitor centre to showcase the Battle of Bannockburn have been unveiled today (Monday). The planning application for the new centre is being lodged this week, revealing the dramatic new look for the centre. Information boards detailing the plans will be onsite at the Bannockburn Heritage Centre from 20 June, allowing members of the public to see the new plans that have been lodged with Stirling Council. The new centre has been designed by award-winning architects Reiach and Hall as part of the project to enhance the presentation of the battle, its significance to our history and the visitor facilities available in time for the 700th anniversary of the battle in 2014. The project – an ambitious partnership between heritage agency Historic Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland – was announced in October 2010 by the Minister for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop. In addition to the £5m awarded to the project by the Scottish Government, an application has been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for additional interpretation and landscaping works. Historic Scotland Chief Executive Ruth Parsons said: “In looking at all we want to achieve with world-class, cutting edge technology to immerse the visitor in the experience of battle, we quickly realised that the existing centre would not be able to accommodate everything we wanted. “I am very excited to be able to unveil the new designs created exclusively for this project by Reiach and Hall. They bring with them a great empathy for what we want to achieve and I think they have created a design that will be the perfect canvas to the exceptional interpretation we are planning to introduce.” National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive Kate Mavor said: “This is a once in a generation opportunity to look at how we present and interpret one of the most defining moments in our history and this new centre is the first step in achieving that. “Another key element in the design is the landscaping which will open up the views of the memorial and give them back to the people of Bannockburn as the current building prevents you from looking straight through to the iconic statue of Robert the Bruce that is recognised around the world.” The plans will now go in front of the planning committee of Stirling Council to consider. Visitors to the centre will be able to see an outline of the designs from Reiach and Hall architects and Ian White Associates landscape architects and a tantalising first glimpse of the interpretation concepts by Bright White. It comes a week after lead architect Neil Gillespie was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to architecture and being made an Academician of the Royal Scottish Academy. Neil Gillespie OBE said: ‘’Along with Landscape Architects, Ian White Associates, and Interpretation Designers, Brightwhite, we are extremely privileged to be working with The National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland at The Battle of Bannockburn, a defining moment in Scottish History and a wonderful site. “Although modest in scale our project attempts to give some gravitas back to the site, concentrating attention on the story of the battle, the rotunda, the statue of Bruce and the great prospect to the north of Stirling Castle and the Ochils.’’ 2014 will be a huge year for events in Scotland – as well as the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn Scotland will also play host to the Commonwealth Games and The Ryder Cup. A new visitor centre will bring a cutting-edge digital interpretation to the battle of Bannockburn when it opens in 2014 and establish the site’s position as one of the most historically and culturally important places in Scotland during the commemoration of the battle’s 700 year anniversary. Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre - Background Information The Battle of Bannockburn Project is a joint venture by the National Trust for Scotland and Historic Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government, to provide a new visitor centre and experience for one of the most significant battles in Scotland’s history for the 700th anniversary in the 2014. Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre Design Team • Architectural Team – Reiach and Hall with Sinclair Knight Merz (Engineer), Turner and Townsend (QS) and KJ Tait (M&E Engineers) • Interpretation consultant – Bright White • Landscape Architects – Ian White Associates • Digital Design - Centre for Digital Documentation and Visualisation (CDDV Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament. The National Trust for Scotland is one of Scotland’s leading conservation charities, which relies on the financial support of its members to fund its important work of caring for the natural and cultural heritage of Scotland for everyone to enjoy Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre image / information from Historic Scotland Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre architect : Reiach and Hall

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