Author Alexander McCall Smith has added her weight to a campaign for a permanent Battle of Prestonpans visitors centre to tell the story of the 1745 Jacobite rising.
Those who didn’t study Scottish history in school might not have heard of the Battle of Prestonpans, but it is one of the last battles between the English Parliament soldiers and the Scottish chieftens with the aim of bring back a Scottish king.
The battle featured Bonnie Prince Charlie who actually won over the forces of King George II, although the more famous Battle of Culloden to has rather overshadowed this victory.
The visitors centre would tell the story of this important rising and historic moment in Scottish history, but most importantly it would also give the new 104 metre (338 foot) long Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry a permanent home.
The tapestry which tells the story of the battle along with other events, is over 100 feet longer than the famous Bayeux Tapestry which tells the story of the Battle of Hastings, and is believed to be the longest in the world.
The fund needs around £5 million for the centre to be built somewhere in East Lothian.
The BBC has a video of the Battle of Prestonpans Tapestry.
More details on the appeal can be found on the Battle of Prestonpans Trust web site.
