An inventory has been created of Scotland's historic battlefields. The list currently features 17 sites considered to be of national importance such as Bannockburn and Culloden.
More will be added as Historic Scotland seeks to protect and promote the areas where legendary battles were fought.
Culture minister Fiona Hyslop said: "Battlefields make a distinctive contribution to our sense of place and history, both locally and nationally.
"They are a wonderful resource for education, helping us understand why significant events in our history unfolded as they did and provide a tangible link to some of the key figures of Scottish history.
"Not only do battlefields form an important part of our sense of identity, they also have enormous potential for attracting tourists, as well as for general recreation, allowing visitors to experience the site of a dramatic historical event for themselves. We want to make sure that these important battlefields are looked after now and for future generations."
In order to be included in the inventory, a battlefield must be of national importance either for its association with key historical events or for its archaeological potential
Each entry describes the battlefield and a summary of its historical context.
It includes the area where the main battles are thought to have taken place and where physical remains and archaeological evidence occur.
Tony Pollard, director of the Centre for Battlefield Archaeology at Glasgow University, said: "This has been a challenging but incredibly rewarding project and it is gratifying to see these key sites being taken seriously. We have an incredible wealth of battlefields in Scotland and it is vital that we consider them alongside other elements of our cultural heritage."
Source: Skegness Standard [December 13, 2010]