Scots, English face off again at Bannockburn, 700 years on

Scots and English met again on the battlefield to mark 700 years since their legendary battle at Bannockburn, in an anniversary laden with symbolism three months before Scotland votes on whether to leave the UK.

For many Scottish nationalists, the victory of King Robert the Bruce's small force over the mighty English army of King Edward II was a decisive moment in Scotland's fight for independence from its overbearing southern neighbour.

A sold-out crowd of 10,000 gathered at the site in Stirling on Saturday to watch a re-enactment of key moments from the 1314 Battle of Bannockburn, performed by the group behind the epic scenes in Hollywood movies Gladiator and Robin Hood.

About 250 men from around the world donned replica armour, swords, maces and pikes to tell the story of Bruce's victory against the odds that helped secure the Scottish throne.

For some in the crowd, the memory served as encouragement ahead of September's referendum, when Scots will vote on whether to once again go it alone or stay within the 300-year-old United Kingdom.

"This is what Scottish independence is all about - keeping the faith, hanging in there when it seems like the odds are against you," said Steve Lamont, 50, a lawyer from near Dundee who will be proudly voting 'yes'.