Marking the Battle of Langside 450 year on

A host of events is set to take place to commemorate the 450th anniversdary of the battle of Langside.

Local organisations Langside Community Heritage, Finn’s Place and Inhouse Events CIC announced a series of events and exhibitions which will take place throughout May.

The first in the programme to mark the 450th anniversary of the Battle of Langside took place last Wednesday.

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The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Cllr Eva Bolander, who is the Honorary President of the Commemorations, planted an oak, a species grown in Scotland in the 16th century.

The Lord Provost was assisted by pupils from Battlefield, Langside, Shawlands, Annette St, Holy Cross and Merrylee Primary Schools.

The occasion was sponsored by Glasgow Tree Lovers Society.

Beginning in May, Langside Library will be hosting an exhibition about the battle and a display of some of the many books you can read about the times and events surrounding it and the colourful, romantic and tragic life of Mary, Queen of Scots.

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Also in the library you can view a huge wall painting of the battle scene gifted to the City in 1919 by the Glasgow School of Art.

In the days around the main event on May 13, there will be illustrated talks and guided walks to bring the battle to life. They will describe the historical context, the site then and now and how the legacy lives on.

Supported by Glasgow Life, Langside 450 is producing a short illustrated booklet about the battle.

Part of the religious, political and dynastic conflict of 16th century Scotland, the two adversaries were Mary Queen of Scots and her half-brother, the Earl of Moray.

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There will be a fold-out modern map and walking guide with battle lines drawn so you can walk the site yourself and relive both the excitement and the horror of the day.

The booklet is free and will be available from late April in the library and other local venues as well as online at www.langside450.inhouse.scot/.

Queen’s Park Arena, Inhouse Events CIC and Langside 450 will be hosting a special two-day family-friendly extravaganza on May 12 and 13.

It will feature entertainment and activities for all ages, including demonstrations, historical talks, a market, a living history camp and food stalls.

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Historic Environment Scotland’s World Heritage Team will also be providing activities for children.

The official opening will take place at noon on the Saturday, with Lord Provost Cllr Eva Bolander and local MP Stewart McDonald.

A procession from Langside Library past Battlefield monument and into Queen’s Park will take place on May 13.

This follows part of the route taken by Mary’s army on the day of the battle.

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A fanfare, composed especially for the occasion by Gaynor Barradell, Composer of the Year in Scotland for Making Music, will be performed.

Anyone interested in taking part in the procession can be registered by emailing [email protected].