Loudoun Hill

The southern face of this volcanic plug was bathed in sunshine this afternoon as I was driving home.

Two minutes after the shot was taken the sun was gone - timing is everything.

Good rock climbs on this face and a famous battle was fought here 700 hundred years ago. This was King Robert the Bruce's first major military victory against the English.

John Barbour describes the King's actions in scouting the ground and making preparations.

" The king upon the other side,
Whose prudence was his valour's guide,
Rode out to see and chose his ground.
The highway took its course, he found,
Upon a meadow, smooth and dry.
But close on either side therby
A bog extended, deep and broad,
That from the highway, where men rode,
Was full a bowshot either side. "