Arran Johnston, battle re-enactor

There’s always the possibility that I will come out with a few bumps and bruises but when a battle is finished, I have this amazing feeling of exhilaration. The golden rule is not to kill each other.

I put on battle displays that are enjoyable but also safe. Having said that, I use gunpowder, musket fire, and horses which brings a whole new level of unpredictability to the scene.

It was the 250th anniversary of the Jacobite uprising that sparked my interest in re-enacting and I have been fascinated by it ever since. I remember the statue of Bonnie Prince Charlie lighting a fire in my imagination. I was 15 when it became my hobby. However, I never thought I’d be doing it now.

It wasn’t until I moved to Scotland from Derbyshire to study Latin and Roman history at Edinburgh University that I noticed there fewer re-enactments [than in England], so I grew determined to continue it. I do it to get closer to people historically, to experience what they did.

I researched and worked with battlefield heritage groups and my hobby became far more important. It’s a powerful way to engage people’s minds. Events in summer feel much the same as how many of these soldiers felt historically. I cover a lot of ground wearing multiple layers of wool and linen which makes it exhausting.

However, what’s missing is the real sense of fear and tragedy of battle, something I can’t replicate. Last year for the Battle of Pinkie, I was nowhere near replicating the scale of the battle, but when it finished, it was poignant being close to where those events happened.

Prestonpans will be one of the biggest single period re-enactments in Scotland this year and should have 100 people on-field with horses and canons. I'm the principal organiser; I portray the role of Bonnie Prince Charlie leading everyone into battle and onto the field. Participants have researched the period and understand every detail, such as how soldiers make their way across landscapes and intricate details like how they comfortably carry their pouches.

In live fire situations, things happen quickly, therefore, the battles last 15 or 20 minutes. Larger battles last 45 minutes and the rest of the day is spent building the narrative and explaining manoeuvres to give people their spectacle of entertainment.

It’s more than just a battle, I can tell people a story and give them a narrative of great events which were undertaken by normal people. I hope to keep the memory of these battles alive by giving people an idea of what the soldiers of 1745 experienced.

We aren’t glorifying woe and playing at soldier. We are conscious of those who have fallen and really it’s a tribute to them that we are trying to keep the stories alive so that future generations are just as aware of those sacrifices as we are. We are lucky conflict isn’t happening on our doorstep. For the majority of history, that has not been the case.

The re-enactment of the Battle of Prestonpans will take place on September 15 and 16. A memorial parade will take place on September 15 through the streets of Prestonpans. Visit eastlothianbattles.com