Aberdonians
No
civic community in Scotland has been so distinguished in history
for their bravery in battle, and their resistance to foreign
aggression, as the people of Aberdeen. They assisted Bruce
in 1308, and having aided in vanquishing the English betwixt
Old Meldrum and Invernry, they returned and put the garrison
of Edward to the sword. They subsequently opposed, with great
vigour, the landing of English troops at Dunnotar, and were
defeated only after severe fighting and slaughter. At the
famous battle of Harlaw, which was a sort of pitched fight
betwixt the Highlanders and Lowlanders, and took place in
1411, the citizens are known to have fought so bravely as
to turn the fate of the day against Donald of the Isles and
his kilted host.
In
1530 the Aberdonians repelled the attack of the clan Forbes
with their usual intrepidity, and saved the town from being
plundered. Seven years afterwards they sent a large complement
of men southwards to oppose the invasion of the English under
the Duke of Somerset; and they nearly all perished on the
well-fought field of Pinkie.
The
brave Aberdonians had also their share in the disastrous troubles
of the reign of Charles I. For the eminent services performed
by the citizens during the wars of the Independence, they
received many privileges from Robert Bruce. In commemoration
of a deed of extraordinary daring, namely, the destruction
of the whole English troops that garrisoned the town in one
night, they received, as a motto to their arms, the phrase
"Bon Accord," which was the watchword on the occasion,
and which is still used in common speech by the Aberdonians
as a familiar name of the town.
