THIS year’s commemoration of the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh – one of Scotland’s “biggest and bloodiest” battles – will be streamed live as part of the East Lothian Online Heritage Festival.

The free event takes place next Thursday (September 10), the 473rd anniversary of the conflict, which was the last pitched battle between Scotland and England, fought in 1547.

It took place during the Rough Wooing, when the armies of Scotland and England fought to determine who should marry the infant Mary, Queen of Scots.

The larger Scottish army attacked across the River Esk into the teeth of ferocious cavalry charges and a hail of arrows, cannon and gunshot.

It was the largest battle ever fought in Scotland and the outcome was a disastrous defeat for the Scots.

There were 10,000 Scottish troops massacred in the rout, which became known as ‘Black Saturday’.

But the immediate effect of this defeat was to revive the ‘Auld Alliance’ between Scotland and France – and to bring about the betrothal of the five-year-old Mary to the Dauphin of France.

The battle is significant in military history due to the pioneering combination of horse, foot and artillery with supporting fire from naval vessels.

Pinkie was one of the first modern battles fought in Britain and took place in open country between Wallyford and Whitecraig.

A Saltire is traditionally raised at the Pinkie Cleugh Memorial Stone at Crookston, just off Salters Road, the week before the commemoration ceremony.

The event itself next Thursday will get under way at 11am with the battlefield trail walk.

Participants can meet at the Roman Bridge in Musselburgh, where the first information board about the battle is situated.

Led by members of the Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield Group, they will make their way to the second information board at St Michael’s Church, Inveresk, and the third board on Crookston Road.

The group will then make its way to the fourth information board at the memorial stone in time for the commemoration ceremony at 1pm.

A selection of musical tributes will be played on the bagpipes before those assembled are welcomed by David Stillie, president of the Old Musselburgh Club.

An account of the battle will be given and some of the names of the fallen will be read out. There will be an act of remembrance, followed by a minute’s silence.

Floral tributes will be laid at the memorial stone and Mr Stillie will say the closing words.

People who are unable to attend in person can see the event live streamed online at about 12.40pm.

The flag will remain in place for another week in tribute to those who lost their lives in the battle.

Alister Hadden, spokesman for the Old Musselburgh Club, said: “The Old Musselburgh Club in partnership with the Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield Group wish to extend their appreciation to Davie Rutherford, Garry Hicks and Kevan Neil, who run the Community Payback scheme, for maintaining the area of ground around the Pinkie Cleugh Memorial Stone.

“We also wish to thank the piper, those leading the battlefield trail walk, those doing the live streaming of the ceremony and everyone else involved to bring this annual commemoration event to fruition.”

To view the live event, go to www.johngraycentre.org/about/archaeology/archaeology-events/east-lothian-online-heritage-festival/commemoration-of-the-battle-of-pinkie-cleugh