Robert the Bruce Heritage Day 2023

Saturday 15th July saw Maybole’s Glebe Park host the first Robert the Bruce Heritage Day.
This July is 749 years since Robert the Bruce was born in nearby Turnberry, and Maybole celebrated in style!

The glebe was transformed for the day, with a medieval tented village with lots of local businesses and community groups with amazing produce and activities – including crafts with Girlguiding Ayrshire South and CRAG Community Arts, traditional weaving workshop, and countless stalls with sweet treats and homemade gifts! Local charities enjoyed a lovely day networking and fundraising!
There was an arena where the fantastic living historians from History Matters Ltd entertained families all day with interactive history demonstrations! King of Scots Robert the Bruce himself even joined us for the day and was delighted to share the winners of the event’s Art Competition! Later in the afternoon, Owl-Magic also thrilled the audience flying their stunning birds of prey.

North Carrick Community Benefit Company had plenty of information about Bruce’s time in the area, and a very special guest – a specialist medieval calligrapher who made beautiful bookmarks for visitors!

Further up the field was the music stage which hosted live music from tribal drummers Clann An Drumma, local musicians Glen Park Ceilidh band, and stunning vocals from Shannon Sockell Bryden, as well as incredible performances from Aileen Robertson School of Highland Dancing and local magician Fabulous Fraser!

The team would like to thank North Carrick Community Benefit Company - who made the event possible with funding, but also through recruiting the Events Development team who brought you the event! The team is made up of passionate local people who are really enjoying working to bring the community together to celebrate our rich heritage, grow the local tourism economy and provide fun family events for South Ayrshire residents!

Thanks also go to the event’s other funders and supporters - including Maybole Regeneration, the Scottish Government and Destination South Ayrshire.

In the evening, NCCBC and Thriving Communities hosted a DJ night on the big stage for local young people – which they named ‘Gaff at the Glebe’! - a great night was had by all.
Next year the team aspire to bring an even better event to Maybole to mark 750 years since the birth of King Robert the Bruce, in North Carrick. Make sure to follow the below and you won’t miss any of the next exciting events!