Bannockburn: How was it won?

  How the battle was won explained with 8 maps.



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About Elenkus | About the Author


The word 'elenchus' refers to logical argument. The most famous practitioner of elenchus was Socrates, the Greek philosopher who sought to reveal the truth by questioning the arguments of the so called 'great men' of his time. Hence the publishing imprint: ELENKUS. It is apt, because most of the publications are concerned with discovering the solution of difficult problems.


William Scott taught Mathematics (as well as philosophy) for many years, heading departments in several colleges. He served on the Scottish Mathematical Council, published numerous articles and papers and reviewed books for the Mathematical Gazette.
... read more


Elenkus Ltd publishes the books of William Wallace Cunningham Scott. Elenkus is a word derived from elenchus, a method of question and answer which unravels the truth, practised by Socrates and immortalised in Plato's Dialogues.





© Elenkus: William Scott
© Elenkus ~ William Scott

Elenkus - History Books

• "The book is certainly a tour de force, and by far the most intelligent and comprehensive account of the battle ever written."
~ Rev J. Stein, Minister, Theologian, Publisher
... read more

• "I found Mr Scott's account quite fascinating"
~ Partick Cadell, Historian, former Keeper of the Records of Scotland
... read more

• Bannockburn Revealed (BR), contains all the sources, translated, plus the first justified map of the battle area in 1314, that took up 100 pages and has about 70 photos and maps of the battle area. Where and how the battle was fought are established there for the first time. This book is ground breaking.... read more

• You should get a doctorate from every university in Scotland for this. ~ Irvine Smith, Advocate, Sheriff and Historian... read more


© Elenkus: Bannockburn-Revealedd
© Elenkus ~ Bannockburn Revealed (has all the sources)

Elenkus - Proofs


• Barbour [1375]: They [The English] camped that night down in the Carse and cleaned and made ready their equipment for the battle in the morning ... read more

• This Carse is unique in regularly having many pools of water. 34 have been counted at one time, some 100 yards long and a yard deep ... read more

On that day occurred the encounter in the Pools, and Gilbert the Younger, earl of Clare, and many of the men of England besides, were slain by the Scots ... read more

• Scalacronica: [The Scots] at sunrise on the morrow marched out of the wood in three divisions of infantry. They directed their course boldly upon the English army
... read more


© Elenkus: The Genius of Bannockburn
© Elenkus ~ The Genius of Bannockburn

Elenkus - Reconstructions


• "Superbly researched, revealing previously unknown information. Every aspect of the battle is explained with compelling conviction, bringing new light to a glorious moment in Scottish history."
~ David Torrie, Editor
... read more



• "A triumph...you come across as an Historian, Scientist, Geographer, Hydrologer, and also as a first class strategic and tactical commander, able to appreciate ground and leadership in impeccable detail. "
~ Col Bruce Niven, MA (1st Class Hons Geography), MBE, ex Chief of Staff, SAS
... read more



• "The Bute Witches is a new kind of book. It contains a novel: a reconstruction of the trials and execution of 6 witches in Bute in the mid 17th century, closely based on the history, all the documents for which are printed within the book. "
~ fascinating, anomalous
... read more


© Elenkus: Bannockburn the Poem front cover
© Elenkus ~ Bannockburn: The Poem, (a half hour read, with some maps, photos and proofs)

Elenkus - Novels


• "This is one of the best novels I have ever read. Don't be put off by the title or slightly odd cover, this is a beautifully told story. Funny, incredibly sad, with passages of amazing depth."
~ Dr Ray Walker, Bearsden ... read more



• " ... a brilliant storyteller ... I shall expect to see your name writ large hereafter."
~ Nigel Tranter ... read more



• Two world class problems are solved within this novel. The problem of the suicide bomber: what would you say to divert him from blowing up himself and others?
... read more


© Elenkus: Bannockburn Years
© Elenkus ~ Bannockburn Years

Elenkus - Lectures


Topics William Scott will give lectures on:


• The Battle of Bannockburn: the site, the tactics and the moment by moment events over the two days. Powerpoint versions of the battle maps can be shown. The making of the maps explained. ...
read more


• The Bute Witches: the cause of the witch hunt in Bute, the details of the people accused, the accusers, the names of those burnt and their prosecutors. What caused the witch hunt? ...
read more


• General William Roy and his maps: these maps are brilliant. The author will explain why with reference to his extensive studies of them, of other maps and the ground they refer to, one aspect academics are notoriously ignorant of, because of lack of energy and time for close investigation. ...
read more


© Elenkus: Rob Roy Way © Elenkus: The Highlands
© Elenkus ~ Rob Roy Way & The Highlands

Elenkus - Quotations


  1. 'On a par with the Decipherment of Linear B by Michael Ventris which confounded the Classical establishment of his time. In his 3rd book on this (GB) Mr Scott has refined and amplified his arguments, put up a conclusive case and thoroughly exposed the shortcomings of the academic community.' Tom McCallum, Classicist.

  2. 'A triumph...you come across as an Historian, Scientist, Geographer, Hydrologer, and also as a first class strategic and tactical commander, able to appreciate ground in impeccable detail. Your meticulous sifting of the evidence is breathtaking... the detail of the battle is masterly.' Col. Bruce Niven, MA 1st Class (Geography), MBE, ex Chief of Staff, SAS, leader of climbs on Annapurna 1 and Everest.

  3. 'In my opinion, this research settles the site of the battle.' Irvine Smith, QC, Advocate, Sheriff, Historian.

  4. 'I found Mr Scott's account quite fascinating...As regards the site of the battle, he demonstrates conclusively that it must be the Carse of Balquhiderock...Indeed, he demonstrates that [the Dryfield] would have been impossible.' Patrick Cadell, Historian, ex Keeper of the Records of Scotland, in Scottish Local History, Spring 2006

  5. 'You should get a doctorate from every university in Scotland for this.' Irvine Smith, Advocate, Sheriff, Historian.

  6. 'William Scott's work is the best piece of research on history --not just Bannockburn--of that period that I have ever encountered.' Roger Graham, The Greenock Telegraph. [see article 8.11.2003]

  7. 'The book [The Genius of Bannockburn] is certainly a tour de force, and by far the the most intelligent and comprehensive account of the battle ever written.' Rev Jock Stein, Theologian, Publisher, Poet.

  8. 'A masterpiece of research, two decades of meticulous scientific investigation of every inch of the battle area, all the maps and all the written sources.' Donald Morrison, teacher.

  9. 'Superbly researched, revealing previously unknown information. Every aspect of the battle is explained with compelling conviction, bringing new light to a glorious moment in Scottish History.' David Torry, Editor, DC Thomson.

  10. Of 'The Bannockburn Years,' Constable Trophy winner, 1997, published by Luath Press, Edinburgh, 1998 and reprinted 2003, 'William Scott, a brilliant storyteller,' Nigel Tranter, on the cover.








© Elenkus: Bute Witches book front cover
© Elenkus ~ Bute Witches (reconstruction & the papers ( proofs of conclusions)
© Elenkus: Scotland History
© Elenkus: Author William Scott
© Elenkus ~ Scotland's history stone tablet & Author William Scott over looking the ocean
© Elenkus: Scottish history © Elenkus: Flag of Scotland
© Elenkus ~ Scottish History & Flag of Scotland