Jacobite Festival: 15-23 August 2026

Following the success of last year’s programme, we’re very excited to announce that we are working on the third annual Jacobite Festival, which will take place at multiple locations all over the country from 15th to 23rd August 2026. The purpose of the Festival is to highlight the huge range of sites, attractions and collections which help us to understand the events of the Jacobite period, from 1688 to 1746 (and beyond!). We are working with sites right across Scotland, to bring together a fantastic schedule of independently-managed events which will highlight this fascinating and significant period of our history.

17 July to 23 November. Montrose Museum, Panmure Place, Montrose, DD10 8HF: Tartan & Turmoil: The Angus Jacobite Story exhibition at Montrose Museum from More info here: Tartan & Turmoil – The Angus Jacobite Story • ANGUSalive

Throughout the Jacobite Festival: Traquair House, Innerleithen, EH44 6PW, A Jacobite Trail – follow the Jacobite Trail around Traquair House and Grounds to explore more fully the family’s loyalty to the Jacobite cause. Discover the wonderful collection of Jacobite glass and hear the story of Lady Nithsdale who rescued her husband from the Tower of London in 1716 after he was captured at the Battle of Preston. Also, on display will be an outfit designed and created by Esther Pape inspired by the clothes worn by Bonnie Prince Charlie. Why not finish up with a sample of the delicious Traquair Jacobite Ale brewed in the 18^th century brew house? Tours are self guided and the house is open daily from 11am – 5pm. Traquair House and Grounds are open daily in August from 10.30am – 5pm. Tickets can be purchased on the day or in advance at www.traquair.co.uk

3 August to Sunday 30 August 09:30 – 16:30 . Palace of Holyroodhouse, EH8 8DX – Family Jacobite Activity Trail (self led). Who were the Jacobites and why did Bonnie Prince Charlie stay at the Palace? Use this trail to piece together the story of the Jacobites as you visit Palace rooms and view works of art. Included in a Palace of Holyroodhouse Admission Ticket.

Saturday 15 – Sunday 23 August, 11.00 – 15.00. Clan Cameron Museum, Achnacarry, PH34 4EJ: Jacobite object and display maintenance. Come and assist the team taking care of items with Jacobite connections. Tasks may include polishing Seventeenth century boots, Jacobite clothing care, cutting heather for Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hiding place… Free event with museum entry (£5 / £3)

Saturday 15 – Sunday 23 August, 11.00-16.00. Battle of Prestonpans Museum, Prestonpans, EH32 9AY: Portraits of the Prince. Family-friendly activity: pull up an easel and have a go at drawing your own portrait of our mannequin prince! Free entry, donations welcome.

Saturday 15 August at 11:00 and 13:30. Palace of Holyroodhouse, EH8 8DX: Jacobite Short Talks. As part of the Jacobite Festival, join members of the Visitor Services Warden Team to discover the stories behind Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 1745. These talks are included in a Palace of Holyroodhouse Admission Ticket.

Saturday 15 August. Falkirk Muir Battlefield. Guided battlefield tour: Meet 1pm at South Bantaskine Car Park off Lochgreen Road, Falkirk, FK1 5PQ. The walk will be followed by a display of twenty 18th century swords, some of which were used during the battle of Falkirk Muir. Tickets £10 per person. Booking link to follow.

Saturday 15 August. Crieff and Strathearn Museum, 33 High St, Crieff, PH7 3HU. 12.00-16.00: Meet the Jacobites: Visit Crieff and 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 Dr. Arran Johnston and colleagues. Free, but donations welcome.

Saturday 15 August. Join the staff of the West Highland Museum at Stand 15 at the Glenfinnan Gathering. Childrens activities – ‘Junior Jacobites’ make a targe or search for the secret jacobite symbols. Free.

Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August. NTS Visitor Centre, Glencoe, Ballachulish, Argyll, PH49 4HX. Time Bandits will host a weekend of interactive living history at the 17^th century turf & creel house at the visitor centre in Glencoe National Nature Reserve. Using storytelling, music and an extensive handling collection of weapons, kit and domestic items, the historic reenactors will tell the story of what happened at the Massacre of Glencoe and how those events resonated down through the centuries. This is a free event. Admission to the visitor centre is also free of charge and parking is free for NTS and NT members, £4 per vehicle for non-members.

16 August 11am to 3pm. Montrose Museum, Panmure Place, Montrose, DD10 8HF:Meet the Jacobites: Soldiers of the ’45 Living History event Sunday .

Curators Tour: Montrose Museum, Panmure Place, Montrose, DD10 8HF: details to be confirmed.

Monday 17 August at 15.30. Scone Palace, Perth, PH2 6BD: Jacobite Tour. Join William, Viscount Stormont, as he leads an exclusive tour of the historic Scone Palace. Delve into the rich tapestry of the Mansfield family’s history and the Jacobite movement. As you wander through the halls of the Palace, Viscount Stormont will share his stories and insights, including the history of Moot Hill, the ancient Crowning Place of Scottish Kings. There will also be an opportunity to see ‘behind the scenes’ as William takes you through the private apartments of the Palace. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience history first-hand in a truly majestic setting.

Tickets are £65 and can be bought here.

Monday 17 August 14:00-15:30. Palace of Holyroodhouse, EH8 8DX: BSL Interpreted Tour- Jacobites at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. As part of the Jacobite Festival, join us for a British Sign Language Tour to discover the stories behind Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 1745.
This event is for D/deaf and hard of hearing people and will be delivered in English with British Sign Language Interpretation in collaboration with Deaf Action. Cost £11. Eligible for 1-Year Pass. If you have a 1-Year Pass, please email specialistsales@rct.uk to book your ticket, all other bookings can be made here

Tuesday 18 August 14:00-15:30. Palace of Holyroodhouse, EH8 8DX: Descriptive Tour: Jacobites at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Join audio describer Fiona Johnston for a Descriptive Tour to discover the stories behind Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 1745.
This tour is part of the Royal Collection Trust Access Programme and is designed to be accessible
for blind and partially sighted visitors. Booking Essential. Cost £11. Eligible for 1-Year Pass. If you have a 1-Year Pass, please call (0)303 123 7324 or by emailing specialistsales@rct.uk. A £2 transaction fee will apply to telephone bookings. Other bookings can be made here

Tuesday 18 August, Battle of Prestonpans Museum, Prestonpans, EH32 9AY, 2pm start: Prestonpans Battlefield Legends: Paul Macdonald recounts his favourite tales of dramatic exploits at the Battle of Prestonpans. Entry by donation, booking recommended: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1991917093648?aff=oddtdtcreator

Wednesday 19 August at 11:00 and 13:30. Palace of Holyroodhouse, EH8 8DX: Jacobite Short Talks. As part of the Jacobite Festival, join members of the Visitor Services Warden Team to discover the stories behind Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 1745. These talks are included in a Palace of Holyroodhouse Admission Ticket.

Wednesday 19 August at 15.30. Scone Palace, Perth, PH2 6BD: Jacobite Tour. Join William, Viscount Stormont, as he leads an exclusive tour of the historic Scone Palace. Delve into the rich tapestry of the Mansfield family’s history and the Jacobite movement. As you wander through the halls of the Palace, Viscount Stormont will share his stories and insights, including the history of Moot Hill, the ancient Crowning Place of Scottish Kings. There will also be an opportunity to see ‘behind the scenes’ as William takes you through the private apartments of the Palace. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience history first-hand in a truly majestic setting.

Tickets are £65 and can be bought here.

Thursday 20 August at 15.30. Scone Palace, Perth, PH2 6BD: Jacobite Tour. Join William, Viscount Stormont, as he leads an exclusive tour of the historic Scone Palace. Delve into the rich tapestry of the Mansfield family’s history and the Jacobite movement. As you wander through the halls of the Palace, Viscount Stormont will share his stories and insights, including the history of Moot Hill, the ancient Crowning Place of Scottish Kings. There will also be an opportunity to see ‘behind the scenes’ as William takes you through the private apartments of the Palace. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience history first-hand in a truly majestic setting.

Tickets are £65 and can be bought here.

Thursday 20 August 11:30 to 12:30. Palace of Holyroodhouse, EH8 8DX: Jacobite Songs and Stories. Join Fiona Johnston to hear the folk music and stories associated with Bonnie Prince Charlie and his time at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 1745. Eligible for 1-Year Pass. If you have a 1-Year Pass, please call (0)303 123 7324 or by emailing specialistsales@rct.uk. These performances are included in a Palace of Holyroodhouse Admission Ticket.

Thursday 20 August, Battle of Prestonpans Museum, Prestonpans, EH32 9AY,1pm start. Museum Highlights Tour: Join curator Arran Johnston as he talks his way around the gallery. Entry by donation, max 15 people so booking recommended: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/museum-highlights-tour-tickets-1991917596151

Thursday 20 August Scottish Battlefields Trust, online talk. “They were all Highland men“? The Jacobites of North-East Scotland in The ’45: An online talk by Jenn Scott, author of I am Minded to Rise and trustee of the Scottish Battlefields Trust. Visible here from 7pm, Thursday 20 August Scottish Battlefields Trust – YouTube

Friday 21 August at 11:00 and 13:30. Palace of Holyroodhouse, EH8 8DX: Jacobite Short Talks. As part of the Jacobite Festival, join members of the Visitor Services Warden Team to discover the stories behind Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 1745. These talks are included in a Palace of Holyroodhouse Admission Ticket.

Friday 21 August at 7.30pm in the rooms above the Perth Arms Pub (High St, Dunkeld PH8 0AJ) – Talk on Killiecrankie and the Battle of Dunkeld. Tickets £10 (adults only) available on Eventbrite.

Saturday August 22 – 11.00 and 14.00. Perth Museum, PH1 5SZ : An hour-long walk through Jacobite Perth. Walking through the modern city, your guide will take you back in time with stories of the 1700s and what life would have been like for those fighting for and against the Jacobite cause in Perth. Find out where the Bonnie Prince took up residence during his stay here and of Perth’s gift to the victorious Duke of Cumberland. The tour starts and ends outside Perth Museum (North Entrance). Please be aware that this is an outdoor event and may include steps or uneven surfaces. Please dress for the weather. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour starts.

Fee: £12. Booking essential. Book here

Saturday 22 August at 11:00 and 13:30. Palace of Holyroodhouse, EH8 8DX: Jacobite Short Talks. As part of the Jacobite Festival, join members of the Visitor Services Warden Team to discover the stories behind Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s stay at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in 1745. These talks are included in a Palace of Holyroodhouse Admission Ticket.

Saturday 22 August from 11.00-15.00 – In the Govenor’s Room, West Highland Museum, Cameron Square, Fort William, PH33 6AJ. Meet Paul Macdonald who will tell you about the Sandaig Hoard – a cache of musket balls, coins and gilt buttons sent by the French to aid Prince Charles Edward – and discovered by Paul in 2020. This is a free drop-in session.

Saturday 22 August, 2pm start. Battle of Prestonpans Museum, Prestonpans, EH32 9AY. The Prince at Prestonpans: Arran Johnston explores the role of Charles Edward Stuart at the Battle of Prestonpans, where he was and what he did. Entry by donation, booking recommended: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-prince-at-prestonpans-talk-by-arran-johnston-tickets-1991918119717

Saturday and Sunday 22 & 23 August – Sir Arthur Erskine’s Regiment camp in Stanley Hill park both days 10am to 5pm. Plus, “Dunkeld Battlefield” tours each day at 11am and 2pm. Guided tour with weapons display, telling the story of the Battle of Dunkeld which took place on Wednesday 21 August 1689. Re-enactors in period costume will take you step by step through the battle, which was only 25 days after the Jacobite victory at Killiecrankie, ending with the destruction of the town and a Jacobite defeat. A critical moment in Scottish history which played a significant role in shaping the country’s future.Tickets £10 per adult, kids go free. Book via Eventbrite

Sunday 23 August, 15.00 – 17.30: Fingask Castle, by Rait, Perths, PH2 7SA – 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. 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.

Meet the Targeman, John Stewart, in authentic dress. The 19th century Threipland Coach will also be on display.

Tickets £20, children free. Dogs on leads welcome. Book at Eventbrite.