Robert Bruce is surely the greatest of all the great Scottish heroes,  it was the patience and cunning of Bruce that Scotland needed, especially facing such formidable enemies as the English, first under Edward I and then under his son and heir Edward II.  By the time of Bannockburn, he was ready.

The battle of Bannockburn was undoubtedly one of the most spectacular battles of the Scottish Wars of Independence. Although the struggle against the English was to continue for some 13 years more, the Scottish victory was of enormous importance as it secured the future of the throne for Rober the Bruce King of Scots. To avoid confusion, at this point it should be noted that Robert Bruce, shown as a traitor in the film Braveheart, was no such thing. Never on any occasion did Bruce betray Wallace, since in actual fact, Wallace's support lay with the restoration of John Baliol as King, Bruce's rival claimant to the Scottish throne. Baliol was a weak man, this being the main reason that Edward of England favoured him. He was given the name " Toom Tabard" (empty coat) after his coat of arms was taken from him after backing down to English demands . Bruce was a man of outstanding bravery and courage, who with the aid of amazing tactics and pure perseverance, led the Scots through 30 years of war to win their longed-for freedom.

If Robert Bruce had done no more than defy the power of King Edward, restore the Scottish monarchy and win at Bannockburn, he would still be listed among the giants, but he did more. His view of his nation was truly international. Under the rule of the one who was later to be known as "Good King Robert," Scotland had become the first nation state in Europe, the first to have territorial unity under a single king. Contained in the Declaration of Arbroath of 1320 was a letter to the Pope, who had excommunicated everyone in Scotland unless they swore allegiance to Edward II (such were the ways of medieval popes). In the letter, signed by representatives from all classes of Scots society, it was stated that since ancient times the Scots had been free to choose their own kings, a freedom that was a gift from God. And so it was, but a gift that had needed a Robert Bruce to deliver.