THE National Trust for Scotland’s Battle of Bannockburn has received £9,600 pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to run an exciting new community project, People, Plants, Medicine and Lore.

It explores how people’s relationship with the natural environment has changed over the last 700 years and is part of the celebrations for the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.

Work starts on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26 as an archaeological dig gets underway in preparation for the creation of a physic garden.

All budding archaeologists are welcome on the free event – contact bannokburn@nts.org.uk to book a slot.

The physic garden will be created in the grounds of the visitor centre which is owned and operated by the charity that conserves and promotes Scotland’s heritage.

It will enable the community to learn about the importance of cultivating medicinal herbs in the past.

Local school pupils will explore the use of physic gardens through storytelling, art and literacy, as well as creating their own traditional remedies safely.

They will share their knowledge with the wider community through guided tours and designing information panels.

Visitors to the Battle of Bannockburn will be able to explore the garden through observation, smell and touch and gain an appreciation of the knowledge needed by soldiers to survive in their natural environment.

Community ranger Laura Livingstone said: "This award will allow us to explore the intertwining of the natural environment and our local history in a new community project.

"Participants will have the opportunity to learn traditional skills, participate in an archaeological dig, develop presentation skills and help create a lasting legacy to this project in the form of a physic garden."

Lucy Casot, head of HLF in Scotland, said: "The Heritage Lottery Fund is a key partner in the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology and it’s our ambition that people of all ages will have the chance to discover something new about the heritage they care about.

"We’re delighted that, thanks to funding from the National Lottery, The National Trust for Scotland will be opening the door to fun, learning and everlasting memories for many people as we celebrate this special year."

The Heritage Lottery Fund played a key role in the creation of the Battle of Bannockburn, an award-winning visitor centre, funding the project jointly with the Scottish Government.

With cutting-edge 3D technology, this new Battle of Bannockburn experience puts visitors at the heart of medieval battle in a fully immersive game.

The landscape and parkland allow visitors to appreciate the site believed to be Bruce’s campsite before the battle, and its restored commemorative monuments including the iconic statue of Robert the Bruce.

Book a Battle of Bannockburn experience online at www.battleofbannockburn.com