Bonnie Prince CharlieSearch this site: On this page, jump to After Culloden Prince Charles Edward Stuart aka Bonnie Prince Charlie, 1720-1788, was born and died in Italy. He was in Scotland from the 23rd July 1745, when he landed on the island of Eriskay, Outer Hebrides, until the 20th September 1746 when he left Scotland forever. This escapade, the final Jacobite uprising, is sometimes called 'the '45'.
The Prince's Beach, on Eriskay, where Bonnie Prince Charlie first set foot in Scotland. He was told to go home. As a consequence of this failed rebellion against the Hanoverian crown, the Highland way of life, particularly the clan system, though already changing because of economic factors, was dismantled on government orders. A series of Disarming Acts took effect. Wearing of tartan was even banned. The culture of the Gaels was seen as a danger to the nation's stability and had to be broken up and absorbed by the Lowlanders. This policy to subdue the Highlands was carried out regardless of the politics of individual clans - not all of whom were Jacobite sympathisers. What was Charles trying to do?Bonnie Prince Charlie, as a young man, was handsome, athletic, musical and fluent in Italian, German and Spanish. As a grandson of the last Catholic Stewart king, James VII, he believed that he must regain the British throne from the Protestant Hanoverians. He was therefore the focus of the Jacobite cause. (Lat. Jacobus = James.) The Jacobites had wide support on the Continent, in Catholic Spain, Italy and, notably, France. The government in London was extremely worried by the activities of the Jacobites and the threat which they represented to the British throne. Some writers argue that Bonnie Prince Charlie was encouraged by the French to invade Scotland as this was a time of poor relationships between Britain and France, linked to their rivalry over New World colonies. The French hoped Charles's expedition would create a diversion and tie up the British navy in Scottish waters. This would leave unescorted British merchant ships in the southern North Sea an easier prey for French-sponsored privateers as well as making possible invasion easier. Whatever the truth, the hot-headed young man left from St Nazaire in France with only two vessels, one of which was later engaged by the navy. The solitary 'Du Teillay' thus arrived in Eriskay, Outer Hebrides where the local Macdonald chieftain told him to go home. In true romantic fashion, Bonnie Prince Charlie said that he had come home - and hence the campaign got under way which was to change forever the Gaelic nation. Where Bonnie Prince Charlie and his supporters went before Culloden.Lochan nan Uamh, near Arisaig - the arrival and departure point for the Prince on the Scottish mainland.Glenfinnan - the rallying point for supporters (19th August 1745). Corrieyairack Pass - ironically, the Prince's army went south via the military roads built by General Wade to ensure that government troops could move quickly in the event of rebellion. The highest of these military roads (finished in 1732) crossed the Corrieyairack Pass at 2,500 ft. Blair Castle - closely associated with the Jacobites as the prominent Murray family who lived in the castle had been split by the rebellion, with brother opposing brother. Later in the rebellion, with Blair Castle garrisoned by government troops, Lord George Murray, who became the Prince's very competent Lieutenant General, laid siege to his own home. Blair became the last castle in Britain ever to be besieged. Vistors today can still see the cannonballs used! Stirling Castle - The Prince and his supporters came via Perth to Stirling on their way south, though it was on their way back north that they tried and failed to capture the stronghold. The Jacobite army crossed the border near Kelso and took Carlisle, Manchester and Derby, only 127 miles from London. However, support diminished and, with government armies converging on them, the Jacobites turned back. Glasgow - the Jacobite army returned to Scotland, passing through Dumfries and Galloway and the Clyde Valley (where the locals were somewhat hostile) to reach Glasgow, already a mercantile city, trading with the Americas. While here, Charles demanded 12,000 shirts, 6,000 coasts and 6,000 pairs of stockings for his ragged army - perhaps finding them in the early shops of what has become the 'Merchant City'. He also took advantage of its nightlife, attending balls and going out to dinner, as well as reviewing his troops on Glasgow Green. Falkirk - here they had their last victory, defeating another government army under General Hawley, who had a fine dinner at Callander House interrupted when the Jacobites attacked! Afterwards, the Jacobites retreated northwards. The final battle: Culloden, 16th April 1746.Inverness was the Prince's base in the early months of 1746, during which time some scattered actions took place, including the capture of Fort Augustus for the Jacobites. An army under the Duke of Cumberland moved out of Aberdeen in April to finish the rebellion. (Cumberland was King George III's son and a distant cousin of the Prince. He earned the name 'Butcher' for his later actions, but had widespread support in Scotland too. He was even given the Freedom of Edinburgh on his way north.)
On the battlefield of Culloden, looking north. This shows the battlefield memorial cairn. The dot above the cairn is a plane on its approach to Inverness Airport. Any other dots here mean you should clean your screen. At
Culloden Battlefield
(east of Inverness) the badly advised, outnumbered and outgunned 5000 Highlanders of the Jacobite army (along with a few Scots and Irish mercenaries from France) were no match for the Government army. It had 6400 foot soldiers and 2400 cavalry. It is often said that more Scots fought for the Hanoverian government than for Bonnie Prince Charlie. After CullodenBonnie Prince Charlie escaped uninjured from the field. A reward of £30,000 was offered for his capture. (Charles is said to have offered a similar amount for the capture of Hanoverian King George!). His months of wanderings took him down Loch Ness and to the Outer Hebrides via Morar in the far west. His loyal supporters still gave him shelter. The soon to be famous Flora MacDonald risked her life smuggling him from South Uist to Skye, disguised as her maid. His route then took in the wild trackless country around Loch Morar again, and also by Loch Arkaig where Jacobite treasure is still said to be hidden. He got as far north as beautiful Glen Affric in Inverness shire, then as far east as remote Loch Ericht, north of Rannoch Moor. Finally, he was taken out of Scotland by a French ship after a rendezvous at Lochan nan Uamh.
Bonnie Prince Charlie country. This is the sort of terrain through which he was hunted after the defeat at Culloden. The edge of the Rough Bounds of Knoydart, looking north to Kintail. Additional Bonnie Prince Charlie GazetteerCulloden: Today, the battlesite is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland. An important new(ish) visitor centre interprets the significance of the site.Fort William: West Highland Museum. Jacobite relics, including a secret portrait of the Prince. Glenfinnan, west of Fort William: Monument erected in 1815 to commemorate the Raising of the Standard. National Trust for Scotland information and displays in nearby Visitor Centre. Outstanding local scenery. Blair Castle, near Pitlochry: The Prince stayed here. Jacobite relics on show. Prestonpans, East Lothian: Cairn commemorates the battlesite. Ground much altered by subsequent coal mining, though now landscaped. Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh: the Prince held court here while in Edinburgh, in the royal residence built by his ancestors. Ruthven Barracks, Speyside: Originally built after the 1715 rebellion, the army garrison here held out against the Jacobites in 1745, but in the early months of 1746 had to surrender when the Jacobites returned with artillery. After Culloden, the defeated forces attempted to rally here, but finally blew up the barracks and dispersed. Fort George: This was built in the ultimate aftermath of Culloden - Europe's best and most intact example of an 18th century fortification - the London-based government's response to the threat (real or imagined) of rebellion in the Highlands. It never fired a shot in anger, but has been garrisoned ever since completion in 1769. Visitors can see round the fortifications, many of the interior buildings and also a major interpretation centre. Ben Loyal, Sutherland: The Highlands of Scotland are the setting of a number of 'Jacobite gold' stories. Attempts were made by the French to send funds to the Jacobite army. A French treasure-ship ran aground in the north of Scotland and though the crew surrendered their gold, rumours persist that some of it was hidden. Some say the vicinity of Ben Loyal near Tongue is where to look - but nobody has found it yet!
Follow this link to a north-east Scotland tour that takes in Culloden and its Bonnie Prince Charlie connections. Or return to the History of Scotland page. Return to the Scotland in a Week home page |
