SCHOOL pupils helped mark the 477th anniversary of the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh.

The event last week started with a guided walk along the battlefield trail, starting at the Roman Bridge in Musselburgh, led by Roger Knox and Dr Andrew Coulson from the Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield Group.

Pinkie Cleugh – described as one of Scotland’s biggest and bloodiest battles – was fought in open country between Wallyford and Whitecraig on September 10, 1547, during the War of the Rough Wooing, and became known as ‘Black Saturday’.

The conflict – the last pitched battle between Scotland and England – was led by the Earl of Arran, Regent of Scotland, and the Duke of Somerset, Lord Protector of England, whose aim was to secure the betrothal of the nine-year-old King Edward VI of England to five-year-old Mary, Queen of Scots.

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

Stopping at information boards along the way, participants on the walk ended up at the battle’s memorial stone at Crookston, off Salters Road, Wallyford, in time for the anniversary commemoration, which is organised annually by the Old Musselburgh Club.

Piper Colin Pryde played musical laments before Kenny McKenzie, president of the Old Musselburgh Club, welcomed everyone to the ceremony, which attracted a 40-strong crowd.

He introduced pupils from Musselburgh Grammar School and Rosehill High School at Wallyford, who were taking part in the commemoration for the first time since the Covid pandemic.

Alister Hadden, a member of the Old Musselburgh Club and the Pinkie Cleugh Battlefield Group, gave an account of the battle taken from William Patten’s book – which was published in 1548 – and research by Dr Coulson.

Musselburgh Grammar School pupils Ailsa McKinnie, Katie Horrell and Summer Stirling demonstrated a replica Scots pike (long spear) and cannonballs that were used during the battle. Rosehill High School pupils Orla O’Raw and Callum Craighead then read out 10 names from the list of the 10,000 Scots killed at the battle. This was followed by an act of remembrance and a minute’s silence.

Flowers were laid at the memorial stone by Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North & Musselburgh; Councillor John McMillan, Provost of East Lothian Council; Katherine McKenzie on behalf of the Old Musselburgh Club; and representatives of the Royal Oak Society of Scotland.

Mr McKenzie thanked everyone who organised and supported the event.