In 2013, the Ulster Historical Foundation was commissioned by MAGUS (Ministerial Advisory Group – Ulster-Scots Academy) to conduct research into the story of the Scottish campaign in Ireland in 1315–18 led by Edward Bruce, younger brother of King Robert Bruce. Historians have long considered this campaign to be one of the most important early examples of shared Ulster-Scottish history.

The story itself is a far from straightforward one and reflects all of the complexity of the relationships between these islands in the medieval period. Working with scholars on both sides of the North Channel, the Foundation produced a detailed report into the story and the potential to develop tourism products associated with it.

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Subsequently, the Foundation was engaged by MAGUS and the Ulster-Scots Agency to produce a folding heritage map and trail, booklet and exhibition about the Bruce story. The folding heritage map and trail that was produced covers 20 sites in Ireland and Scotland (10 in each) related to the Bruce story.

The accompany booklet, written by renowned Scottish maritime historian, Dr Eric Graham, in association with Mark Thompson and William Roulston, tells the story in more detail, focusing on three key events in 1315 – the landing of the Scottish army in County Antrim, the inauguration of Edward Bruce as king of Ireland, and the decisive victory of the Scots over the Anglo-Normans at the Battle of Connor. The printed literature and exhibition were on show at the major Bannockburn commemoration in Scotland in June 2014 and at the Bruce Festival in Dunfermline a month later.