Campaigners readying themselves for the 21st century Battle of Nechtansmere have been given encouragement that their modern-day foe may be more open to constructive engagement than that faced by their Pictish forebears.
The community around Letham had been spurred into action by Historic Scotland proposals to draw up an inventory of important historic battle sites, which they feared had omitted the Angus location.
Nechtansmere, in the shadow of Dunnichen Hill a few miles from Letham, was the scene of the Picts’ victory over the advancing Northumbrians in 685AD and is described as a pivotal point in shaping the future of Scotland as a nation.
However, its omission from the initial Historic Scotland list led to a minor Angus uprising, which has now been quelled by an assurance that the site is on the heritage body’s radar as part of a project which is only in its infancy.
A spokesman for Historic Scotland said consultation had taken place on a number of sites but they are just at the first phase of an ongoing project.
“This is the first stage of the compilation of the Inventory of Scottish Battlefields and more sites will be added later. We are happy to consider the inclusion of the Battle of Dunnichen at a later stage.”