Braemar Castle re-opened for the 2009 season on Saturday 11th April with a weekend of spectacular free entertainment provided by the historical re-enactment group Fraser’s Dragoons. The year was 1645 and Hugh Fraser’s Government troops were in Braemar recruiting for the Covenanting army and patrolling for rebels. Musket and cannon fire echoed round the hills as the Dragoons drilled and skirmished in front of the castle, demonstrating their skills with muskets, pikes and swords.

The 17th century was a turbulent time in Scotland’s history. The country was in the grip of war and much of Scotland was under the control of James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose. He was fighting on behalf of the King against the Covenanters who supported the government and wanted to preserve their church against King Charles I’s attempt to impose an Anglican form of worship on Scotland. At Braemar visitors were able to meet the Covenanters and the Royalists, visit the Living History camp, wander among the authentic tents, try their hand at Pike drill, find out how musket balls were made, sample life with the regiment, meet the minister, surgeon, armourer, beggars and the long suffering camp-followers who worked to keep the army fed and in action.