Monday 25 November 2013

A Diversion - The Battle of Barra - 1308

A slight diversion (Oh isn't always thus with wargamers!!).

As a member of Oldmeldrum Wargames Group I was asked to help out with a local history project by another club member Alistair Massie. A video was being put together which covered the history of the Garioch and Meldrum in particular and would we, could we, put together a demonstration of the Battle of Barra in 1308 as part of the film.

Luckily we had some medieval figure which would "do" - Crusader, Gripping Beast, ClannTara, Games Workshop and we were very very lucky to recieve a collection of Ebob "Rebellion" figures which we used for close up work.

As the group were busy putting together their participation game for Targe at Kirriemuir and everyone suffered from the usual family, work and hobby balance we were really pushed to get things done in time. However the figures of Robert and Edward Bruce and John Comyn, Brechin and Mowbray were painted, heraldry added and flocked just in time for the shoot.

Terrain was provided by Alistair, whose excellent hex system gave us quite a good representation of the landscape around the battlefield. The slopes of Barra hill and the road from Meldrum to Inverurie were particularly well done.

The filming itself was interesting to say the least! Not content with taking pictures of the set up, they wanted us on camera, talking about it.....oh great!! No script, but I think we might have just about got away with it - we'll see what the editor can do!!!

Anyway here are a couple of shots of the recreation of the Battle of Barra. More of the figures when I get them!


 Alistair giving live commentry
 
 
Part of the collection loaned from Ebob