Image: Reiach and Hall led the design of the centre

Scottish culture secretary Fiona Hyslop has helped mark the start of construction work on a new multi-million pound visitor centre designed to celebrate the Battle of Bannockburn.

Mansell Construction Services has been appointed to deliver the new attraction near Stirling, which has been designed by a team led by Edinburgh-based architects Reiach and Hall.

Sinclair Knight Merz; Turner and Townsend; and KJ Tait are part of the project design team, while Bright White and Ian White Associates are also involved.

The Scottish Government has contributed £5m towards the new visitor centre, which aims to enhance the Bannockburn site and explore its significance in Scottish history.

A further £4.1m has been awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with the attraction set to be completed in 2014 - the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn.

Hyslop said: "This project will allow us to celebrate our heritage and promote Scotland as a world-class tourist destination to the world."

Temporary visitor facilities will be provided once an existing visitor centre at the site is shut on 31 October, before being demolished. An outreach programme is also planned.

Details: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk