Bon Accord

Aberdeen, and Aberdonians, have been distinguished in history for their bravery in battle, and their resistance
to foreign aggression. They assisted Robert The Bruce in 1308, and having aided in vanquishing tlse English betwixt Old Meldrum and Inverury, 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 picthed 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 sonthwards to oppose the invasion of the English invasion 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 Charles I.’s reign.

For the eminent services performed by the citizens dur-
ing the wars of the Independence, they received many privileges from Robert The 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.

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