Important historical discovery made at Bannockburn House in Stirling
Earlier this year volunteers noticed a musket ball hole amongst plaster work and ancient wooden panelling.
Historians at Glasgow University think they've discovered an assassination attempt on Bonnie Prince Charlie at Bannockburn House in 1745.
Earlier this year volunteers noticed a musket ball hole amongst plaster work and ancient wooden panelling.
Leading historian Professor Pittock, author of Culloden, The Myth of the Jacobite Clans, Jacobitism and many other works, said: “I am pleased to endorse that Bannockburn House Trust has almost certainly discovered forensic evidence of an assassination attempt on Prince Charles in 1746.
"This is critically important not only for our understanding of the Rising but also for the role the attack may have played in intensifying the relationship between Charles and Clementina Walkinshaw, which led to the birth of his only child.”
Water ingress is causing a lot of damage to the building and the body looking after it is seeking more funding to try to fix this.
Experts say restoration is needed urgently to prevent it getting any worse.
Dr Murray Cook said: “I have visited the bedroom many times over the years and always tried to imagine the Prince and the resulting confusion from the musket fire and sounds of smashing glass alerting everyone to the assassin.
"However, to see the damage and to touch the spot sent a thrill down my spine - an incredible tangible experience and worth visiting Bannockburn House for this alone.”