Following overwhelmingly positive feedback from the first Jacobite Festival, it has been confirmed that the event will return for the week 14-24 August 2025. Watch out for battlefield walks, talks, re-enactments, displays and other events across Scotland. More details will be posted here as they are confirmed.
Dunkeld Community Archive, The Cross, Dunkeld , Perths PH8 0AN
Friday 22nd August to Sunday 24th August: Ready your muskets and join the Sir Arthur Erskine Regiment for a tour of the site of Dunkeld’s 1689 Jacobite Battle! Reenactors in full historical costume will lead a tour around the village and explain the events which led to the Battle of Dunkeld on 21st August 1689 including the famous battle at Killiecrankie less than a month before. This battle was part of the first Jacobite uprising.
Friday 22nd August: 4 x Guided tours – 10.30am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm, 3,30pm.
Saturday 23rd August: 4 x Guided tours – 10.30am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm, 3,30pm.
Plus, chat to the Erskine’s in their camp and watch them train.
Sunday 24th August: Camp and training only.
Tickets available from Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dunkeld-battlefield-tours-part-of-the-
jacobite-festival-tickets-1317420814119?aff=oddtdtcreator
Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX
This year the Palace is offering a range of events during the Jacobite Festival and the weeks previous to it:
Monday Makes Craft: July 7,14, 21, 28 and August 4, 11, 18 and 25, 11:00-15:00, Great Gallery
This year marks the 280th anniversary of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in September 1745. There are many amazing objects connected to the Jacobites found around the Palace of Holyroodhouse, including a beautiful box featuring a miniature of Bonnie Prince Charlie himself. This summer, join us every Monday in the Great Gallery to make your very own trinket box to take home.
A Prince at the Palace: Jacobite Short Talks: August 7, 14, 21 and 28, 14:00, Great Gallery
Join us for short talks to discover what the Palace was like during Bonnie Prince Charlie’s visit in 1745 and how a recent discovery has been made to change our perception of his time here.
Jacobite Activity Day: Saturday 16 August 10:00- 15:00
A day of activities exploring what the Palace was like during the Prince’s visit in 1745. Discover some of the intriguing Jacobite objects on display.
Family Jacobite Trail: throughout August, a family Jacobite activity trail of the Palace will be available.
The West Highland Museum, Fort William, PH33 6AJ
Secret Symbol Town Treasure Hunt
Junior Jacobite Day: 19th August. Make a secret symbol fan or a Jacobite Targe! Free.
Online talk by author Maggie Craig: 3pm Sunday 17th August. ‘Isabel Haldane of Ardsheal and the cruel Captain Caroline Frederick Scott’. £5, Booking link here.
Guided walk at Borrodale with renown swordmaker and master at arms Paul Macdonald. 11.30am (depart) Sunday 17th August. This is the location where Prince Charles Edward first landed, last departed and where arms and gold for the Jacobite cause were landed in 1746. Come and explore with us… Book here (essential)
Talk by renowned expert sword maker and master-at-arms Paul Macdonald: ‘The Stirling Bridge Swords’, 12.30pm Monday 18th August. Hear a ground-breaking tale of two swords which sheds new light on one of Scotland’s most famous and important battles of the Scottish Wars of Independence, The Battle of Stirling Bridge. The original Stirling Bridge longsword was discovered in the banks of the River Forth by the original Stirling Bridge, the location of the mighty conflict with Scottish forces led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray against the English forces of Edward I. Book tickets here
Textile Event. Threads of History: Examining Prince Charles Edward’s clothing from the ’45. Wed 20th August 4pm to Thursday 21st August 8.30pm. Whether you’re interested in 18th-century history, material culture, or the lives behind the legends, this is a chance to engage directly with the process of historical interpretation, ask questions, and see examples of reconstructed garments inspired by original pieces.
Join Làmhan and HandBound Costumes for a two-day event at the West Highland Museum in Fort William, where they will be sharing insights from their ongoing research project ‘Threads of History’. This project focuses on exploring and interpreting items of clothing held in museum collections that are associated with Prince Charles Edward Stuart—often remembered as Bonnie Prince Charlie—and aims to shed light on their historical, cultural, and material significance. Free (donations welcome).
Perth Museum, Perth, PH1 5SZ
Pre and post-festival Jacobite-themed tours of Perth are running on 6 July and 14 September at 11am and 2pm. £9, booking essential.
Falkirk Battlefield
Battlefield tour: Saturday 16th August. Meet 1pm at South Bantaskine Car Park off Lochgreen Road, Falkirk. Booking link here
Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, nr Inverness, IV2 5EU
Tuesday 19th August- Thursday 21st: hourly guided tours of the battlefield with our expert guides Inside the museum an array of presentations, from Plaid demonstrations to weapon handling. Costumed interpretation throughout the building with interactive handling tables. Booking for public tours in advance is through our eventbrite page: Guided Battlefield Tour with Museum Entry (August) Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Traquair House, Innerleithen, nr Peebles, EH44 6PW
Beyond Borders International Festival
Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August 11am – 6pm
As part of the theme of The Art of Resistance this year, Traquair’s Jacobite history and artefacts will be showcased throughout the house. There will also be a tour/talk as part of the weekend’s events.
Tickets and information here: https://bbintfest.com/
Clan Cameron Museum, Achnacarry, Spean Bridge, PH34 4EJ
10am, 22, 23 & 24 August
‘Clan Cameron & The Jacobites’. Clan Cameron Museum & the Beech Avenue – a 1 hour walking tour.
Free event. Booking essential by email to curator@clancameronmuseum.co.uk
Scottish Battlefields Trust
“Threads of Rebellion: Clothes of the Early Jacobites” – online talk. 7pm, Scottish Battlefields Trust – YouTube
Jenn Scott, author of “I am Minded to Rise” and “The Men of Warre”, explores the clothing and appearance of Jacobite soldiers in the risings of 1689-1715. The talk will be broadcast on YouTube and available for the duration of the Festival.
Battle of Prestonpans Jacobite Museum, High Street Prestonpans, EH32 9AY
The Prestonpans Tapestry & “We Saw the Enemy” exhibitions. Two special exhibitions will be open every day of the Festival, as the museum celebrates 15 years of the Prestonpans Tapestry. Come and see this amazing 105m long artwork telling the story of the Prestonpans campaign in 1745. In addition, the “We Saw the Enemy” exhibition introduces some of the opportunities and challenges of evaluating eye-witness testimony of the battle.
Open 11am-4pm. Free entry but donations welcome.
Edinburgh, Old Town, Royal Mile
At 2pm Wed 20th to Sunday 24th August. ‘Rebel, Rebel’, ninety-minute walking tour of sites associated with the Jacobites and the fictional ‘Outlander’ series. Charge. Booking essential. Details and booking at walktheoldtown.co.uk/tours
Edinburgh, National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, EH1 1JF
Wednesday 20th August at 10.30 and 12.00. Join Georgia Vullinghs, Curator of Renaissance and Early Modern History, for a one-hour gallery tour to explore the history and legacy of the Jacobite risings in Scotland.
View a century of objects relating to the overthrow of James VII and the subsequent effort of his descendants to reclaim their crowns. Objects on display include:
- gloves worn by John Graham of Claverhouse “Bonnie Dundee” leader of the Jacobite army
- medals and portraits sent by the Stuarts to Britain to prepare supporters for their return
- glasses engraved with Jacobite coded symbols
- weapons associated with the Highland armies.
And a tour on Jacobites would not be complete without Charles Edward Stuart. Highlights include the silver canteen, sword and targe thought to have been gifted to him for his 21st birthday.
From where it all began in 1688, the tour will take you through the cultural legacy of the Jacobites in Scotland.
£12, booking essential. More information and booking here.
Crieff & Strathearn Museum, Old Town Hall, 33 High Street, Crieff, PH7 3HU
Sunday 24th August. Visit Crieff & Strathearn Museum “under the toon clock”, for the chance to meet some Jacobites and Redcoats from 1745. They’ll explain the clothing and weaponry of the Jacobite risings, and what life was like for soldiers of both sides during the campaign. Presented for the museum by The Alan Breck Regiment.
12pm-4pm. Free but donations welcome.
Preston Mill (NTS), East Linton, EH40 3DS
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th August. 10.30am-4pm: Meet Jacobite and Redcoat soldiers from 1745, as the historic mill’s grounds are transported back to the 18th century. Visit their encampments, find out more about East Lothian’s role in the conflict, and witness what happens when rival patrols clash! With the Alan Breck’s Regiment.
Entry to the event is free (donations welcome); normal charges for timed tours of the mill.
For details of the mill, and tickets for tours: Preston Mill | National Trust for Scotland
Highland Archive Centre, Bught Road, Inverness,IV3 5SS
- Tuesday 19th August, 7pm
- Online talk: ‘1715: Highland Family Connections’. No charge but donations towards the work of the Highland Archive Service gratefully received. Book here. Join Highland Archive Service Family Historian, Anne Fraser, and Community Engagement Officer, Lorna Steele-McGinn, to hear the intertwining stories of three particular families – Rose of Kilravock, Mackenzie of Seaforth, and Mackintosh of Borlum. Contact – Lorna Steele-McGinn, lorna.steele@highlifehighland.com
- Wednesday 20th August, 2pm
- In-person talk: ‘1715: Highland Family Connections’ with accompanying original Jacobite document exhibition. No charge but donations towards the work of the Highland Archive Service gratefully received. Join Highland Archive Service Family Historian, Anne Fraser, and Community Engagement Officer, Lorna Steele-McGinn, to hear the intertwining stories of three particular families – Rose of Kilravock, Mackenzie of Seaforth, and Mackintosh of Borlum. The talk (which starts at 2pm) will be accompanied by a display of original Jacobite documents which can be viewed between 12pm and 4pm.
- Please book for the talk by contacting archives@highlifehighland.com or telephoning 01349 781130. Alternatively drop in to just see the displays between 12-4. Contact – Lorna Steele-McGinn, lorna.steele@highlifehighland.com
Fingask Castle, by Rait, Perths, PH2 7SA
Sunday August 17th, 15.00 – 17.30 Fingask Castle – a Jacobite stronghold – home to Sir Stuart Threipland – Bonnie Prince Charlie’s physician. Sir Stuart’s descendants, the Threiplands of Fingask, will be at home to welcome you and share family stories and heirlooms and help you explore the Alice in Wonderland surreal garden and discover the FINGASK LONG BARROW- a new structure – the first to be built in Scotland in over 3000 years. We will be serving Lemon Posset for tea from Sir Stuart’s mother’s recipe book – the 17th century manuscript, in Lady Katherine’s own hand, will be on display along with other family heirlooms.
The 19th century Threipland Coach will also be on display.
Tickets £20, children free. Dogs on leads welcome, free range guinea fowl not for tea!
A fascinating book about Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Physican will be on sale at the Jacobite tea Party on Sunday 17th August with a personal dedication to YOU from a Threipland of Fingask!
Also available on display will be handcrafted Scottish Targes (shields) and other leather goods by Graeme Biggerstaff. Booking link here
Glenfinnan, National Trust for Scotland, PH37 4LT
All week. Visitor Centre Jacobite Exhibition (free) or climb the 62 steps to the top of the famous Glenfinnan Monument book a timed ticket here (£4-£5).
Glenfinnan Highland Games Saturday 16th August
National Trust for Scotland activities will include Glenfinnan Monument open to climb (10am to 4pm) – to mark this special day in Glenfinnan’s calendar, the doors are open for FREE (donations welcome)
Plus a family Jacobite craft activity on Games Field; Fight like a Highlander demos and participation activities run by Team Culloden; Jacobite collection handling activities run by Team Culloden
Glencoe Turf House, National Trust for Scotland PH49 4HX
All week 9.30am to 5pm visit this reconstructed 17th century turf house typical of the homes of the MacDonalds of Glencoe. Free. Guided tour daily at 2pm, free.
