In October 2024 I was in Fort William with the Royal Marines Historical Society and thus had the chance to travel through the Great Glen to visit the Battlefield of Culloden. The battlefield lies six miles east of Inverness forming part of Drummossie Moor. Some of ancestors fought with the Athol Brigade on the right flank of the Jacobite lines, while others fought on the government side.
The Battlefield is well preserved especially as it is 279 years old. It has an excellent visitor center who provide guided tours throughout the day. It is the location of the last pitched battle to take place in on British soil. It was a pivot battle whose effects were felt for a 100 years.
Firstly, I understood, this was not an English versus Scottish battle. It was a British battle. Many Scots fought on both sides, and it was a struggle as much to do with foreign influence and religion. It was the end of the Jacobite Rising.
The Jacobite risings started in 1689 when Viscount Dundee, fought William & Mary’ forces pitching supporters of the Catholic King James II, who had been overthrown by the Glorious Revolution and the Protestant King William and Queen Mary. After James II’s death in 1701, followed further risings in 1708, 1715 and 1719. The Act of Union had taken place in 1707, which meant both Kingdoms of England and Scotland were united. James VIII of Scotland used these risings to stake a claim for the throne.
The last Jacobite Rising began in 1745 when the son of James VIII, Charles Edward Stuart or Bonnie Prince Charlie fought to gain the throne of England and Scotland. Again, this was the Catholic house of Stuart attempting to remove Geroge II, the Protestant Hanoverian King of Britian, whose father had come to the throne when Queen Anne died with no heir.
Bonnie Prince Charlie sailed from France to Scotland arriving in Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides in July 1745. He then travelled to the Highlands to assemble the Jacobite Army. The French had promised support, but it was half hearted support. Most government troops were fighting in Europe during the War of the Austrian Succession. This meant the Young Pretender had little opposition. Many Scots did not support this cause, especially in the Lowlands.
Within weeks, Charles was in charge of Scotland with victory at the Battle of Prestonpans, near Edinburgh. In September, he marched southwards as far as Derby in England. The road was open to London, yet due to a good dose of “Fake News” where the Jacobite’s were informed a large Government army was positioned at Northampton. (Which did not exist) amazingly they turned around and marched back to Scotland. Charles was also dismayed by the lack of English and French support. They secured another victory at Falkirk and retreated to the Highlands.
Government Troops were brought back from the continent and under the command of William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland they moved northwards in April 1746. They crossed the River Spey on the 12th April, making a 2,000 Jacobite force under John Drummond retreat towards Nairn. This force moved again to join the main Jacobite force which by the 15th April were located at the Culloden estate, six miles east of Inverness. The Government forces set up camp just outside Nairn.
On the evening of the 15th April, the Jacobite’s decided to launch a night attack on the Government camp, who had been celebrating Cumberland’s 25th Birthday with plenty of brandy. It was a disaster with half the force not reaching their target and returning to Culloden, while the other half continued and engaged before realising, they needed to retreat.
The Government force left camp at 5am on the 16th April 1746 and were 3 miles from the Jacobite forces by 10am. The opposing forces lined up against each other with a range of 400-500 yards. The Jacobite’s called insults but there was no response from the Government forces. There were alterations to the flank positions and then Cumberland brought his artillery forward. At 1pm the Finlayson’s Jacobite batteries opened fire. This resulted with a government artillery bombardment, which cut down many Jacobite’s.
The Government forces were now far more professional than in previous engagements. The experience they had gained on the continent and their organised training and drill meant they were disciplined and ready for the battle.
Charles’ forces had little chance of victory. Cut down by artillery, which changed to grapeshot when the Jacobite’s advanced. Many of their commanders were injured or killed. The musketry from the Government forces was withering and constant, while the Jacobite’s would release one shot then charge.
The Jacobite right made contact after heavy losses due to point-blank volleys from the Government forces, yet John Huske of the second line, counter attacked, leaving the Jacobite right surrounded on three sides by five battalions.
Government cavalry was used to ride them down and break the Jacobite lines. With the collapse of the left wing, the rout began. Bonnie Price Charlie ordered another charge as he was led from the field, yet the Jacobite’s were now trying to manage an orderly retreat.
The French regulars allowed Charles and other senior officers time to escape. The fleeing Jacobite’s split into different groups, some heading south while others moved towards Inverness. Government Cavalry cut off the road to Inverness and the order of “Quarter to None” was given.
It is thought between 1,000 and 1,500 Jacobite’s were killed while Cumberland lost around 50 men and 260 injured. The battle lasted less than an hour. Many Jacobite’s were hunted down and killed after the battle.
Bonnie Prince Charlie was hunted for months before escaping back to France. He died in Rome at the age of 67. The Jacobite cause was over.
The legacy of this story is the brutal suppression of the highlands. This was British soldiers, mostly Scots who were making sure no remnants of the Catholic rising would remain. Lord Lovat (Fraser), a Jacobite leader was captured and taken to London. He was the last person in Britain to be beheaded for treason.
Greater than this was the change in the British Army and the British outlook overseas. The experienced professional army linked with the world’s greatest Navy meant that the constant interference in British affairs by countries like France and Spain drove a focus and belief that Britain needed to be more responsive and professional. With the War of the Spanish Succession, followed by the War of Austrian Succession, then the Jacobite rebellions, it led to the Seven Years War which drove the nail into the coffin of French aspirations in America, India and the Caribbean. Following the American Revolutionary War, financed by France and the French Revolution, it came to an end in 1815 with the Napoleonic empire being dismantled.
It is my belief this can be traced back to Culloden. By government victory, suppression, violence and persuasion, Britain had a whole identity. It now looked at the world from a British viewpoint and not as English or Scottish. The experience for the Army on the continent and its ability to deal with the Jacobite’s at Culloden exemplified the nature of the British Army for years to come.