A Sword Used In The Wars Of Scottish Independence Is Sold At Auction

The Clan Cameron sword was expected to reach up to £12,000 at auction. (Picture: SWNS)

A sword used in the historic Wars of Scottish Independence has been sold at auction for nearly £9,000.

The medieval weapon belonged to a chief of Clan Cameron of the West Highlands and is believed to have been used at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 and the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

The Clan Cameron sword is also thought to have been used in the 1745 Jacobite rising when the clan was an ally of Bonnie Prince Charlie's attempts to overthrow the British throne.

It went to auction on Wednesday for £8,750 - having initially expected to sell within £8,000 to £12,000.

The sword is 98cm long and was sold with its leather sheath - it also features ram's horns and a fish skin covered grip.

At the join of blade and hilt, a loose-fitting plaque is engraved 'Yis Thrusande Claiffoff Metell gud aeft Tynt 3 hits Shynn in Saxonys Blud'.

Information on the auctioneers' website read:

"This blade is unusual in its mounting seems much earlier than the usual early 19th-century fashion for the Scottish revival fueled by Sir Walter Scott culminating in the visit of George IV to Edinburgh.

"Sadly its provenance is now almost lost and the story which follows it has been handed down verbally rather than written."

It was thought to have been remounted in the early 18th century to be taken to the Jacobite risings and follow Prince Charles where it was used to continue the family's support of the nation.