Battle of Barra Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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This cache has been set for the 'I LOVE GEOCACHING' event on 26th February 2010.
The Battle of Barra, also known as The Battle of Inverurie, was fought on 23rd May 1308. It was part of the wider wars of Independence,as well as being a part of a bitter civil war.
The battle was a victory for Robert the Bruce over his chief domestic enemy, John Comyn, the 3rd Earl of Buchan.
The victory was a turning point in Bruce's bid to become King of Scotland.
Comyn's attack was only partial and unsuccessful. David de Brechin, however, made a surprise attack on Bruce's camp. His men galloped over the River Ury at Balhalgardy, right into the streets of Inverurie. Taken completely unprepared, Bruce's sentries were quickly cut down. Those who survived took refuge in the nearby castle. It could have brought victory, but Comyn's men were too far away to take advantage of this surprise attack.
Bruce himself rose from his sickbed and prepared a counter attack.
The battle is believed to have taken place in the fields south west of the cache site on the lower slopes of the hill.
The large stone/boulder at the cache site is chair shaped and previously lay higher up Barra Hill and legend has it that Bruce,who was ill at the time, watched the battle from it.
John Barbour describes the scene in a rhyming narrative....
The king came on in fine array
With much display his foes stood set
Until the ranks were nerly met.
But when his foemen saw the king
Advancing without lingering,
A little on their reins they drew.
The king by this time right well knew
That in their hearts they were distressed,
And with his banners forward pressed.
Thus they retreated more and more.
And when the small folk with them saw
Their leaders all retreating so,
They quickly turned their backs to go,
And fled and scattered far and wide.
Their lords, that still were side by side,
When they beheld the small folk flee,
And the king advancing steadily,
Themselves became disheartened so
That they, too, turned their backs to go.
A short while stayed they side by side,
And then they scattered far and wide
Immediately following the battle, Bruce ordered his men to burn to the ground, farms, homes and strongholds associated with the Comyns.
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Cache is well camouflaged in it's environment.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Orgjrra gur fgbarf