Listing Type: Battlefields

Prestonpans Jacobite Museum

Location

Prestonpans Town Hall, 157b High Street, EH32 9AY. The Victorian town hall stands on the corner of High Street and New Street. The museum entrance is marked by a flag on the High Street side. Prestonpans is easily accessible by bus and rail from Edinburgh, and is just a short distance from the A1.

Location

The Battle of Prestonpans was the first battle of the 1745 Jacobite Rising, fought on 20-21 September. The museum is based in the former town hall building, and is run by the Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust. It displays a diorama of the battlefield, artefacts relating to the battle and its participants, artworks illustrating the event, and sections of the famous Prestonpans Tapestry. There is also a temporary exhibitions gallery, and a popular programme of events and educational visits.

Access

Open at weekends, 11am-4pm. Free entry; donations welcome. Visits and group tours can be arranged during the week by appointment.

Website

https://www.battleofprestonpans1745.org/town-hall-museum/

Contact

museum@battleofprestonpans1745.org

01875 819922

Area of interest

Littleferry Battlefield

Location

Littleferry, Sutherland, Scotland. South of Golspie on the minor road to Littleferry, grid reference NH8198. Coordinates: 57°57′37″N 4°0′11″W.

Location

Littleferry, Sutherland, Scotland. South of Golspie on the minor road to Littleferry, grid reference NH8198. Coordinates: 57°57′37″N 4°0′11″W.

On 15 April 1746 a force of 400-500 Jacobites that had attempted to retrieve captured supplies was attacked by two Independent Highland Companies from the pro-Government Clan Sutherland and Clan Mackay. Most of the Jacobite officers were captured; many of the men were killed, and the rest were driven onto the beach, where several were drowned in Loch Fleet. The defeat prevented the Jacobites receiving valuable reinforcements before the Battle at Culloden the next day(although they may have been late in any case). Also known as the 'Skirmish at Golspie'.

Access

Access at all times.

Website

https://www.facebook.com/BattleofLittleferry/

Area of interest

1745 Battlefield Clans

Inverurie

Site of a battle between pro-government Highlanders and Jacobite sympathisers from Aberdeen on 23 December 1745. The Highlanders, forced into a fighting retreat through the main street of the town, were defeated by the larger Jacobite force. A cairn with an information panel now marks the site.

Access

Accessible at all times.

Website

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Inverurie_(1745)

Area of interest

1745 Battlefield Clans

Sherrifmuir

The battle of Sherrifmuir on 13 November effectively ended the 1715 Jacobite Rising. The Jacobite army of the Earl of Mar met the Government army, led by the Earl of Argyll, on the moorland between Dunblane and Auchterarder. Despite Argyll being outnumbered by two to one, the battle was indecisive with both sides claiming victory but the Jacobites were disheartened, returned to Perth and dispersed. The roadside Clan MacRae Monument is close to the Jacobite position. The core of the battlefield has been under forestry for many years but is being cleared and replanted.

Access

Free at all times. A path from the MacRae Monument leads north west to the 'Gathering Stone'.

Website

https://www.battlefieldstrust.com/resource-centre/stuart-rebellions/battleview.asp?BattleFieldId=70

Area of interest

1715

Blair Castle

Location

PH18 5TH. Adjacent to the village of Blair Atholl, Perth and Kinross. Clearly signposted from A9.

Location

PH18 5TH. Adjacent to the village of Blair Atholl, Perth and Kinross. Clearly signposted from A9.

Seat of the Murrays since the 17th century. The family took part in all of the Jacobite risings but with members on opposing sides. The castle was briefly besieged in 1689 when the pro-Jacobite Factor refused entry to Lord John Murray. The siege was lifted when Claverhouse arrived and held a council of war there on the eve of Killiecrankie. Prince Charles Edward occupied the castle in September 1745 and again in February 1746. A small Government garrison was installed in March and was promptly, if briefly, besieged by Lord George Murray - the last castle siege in British history. The castle's collections contain many Jacobite items.

Access

Opening hours. Admission charge.

Website

https://blair-castle.co.uk/

Contact

Tel: 01796 481207
Fax: 01796 481487

Email: office@blair-castle.co.uk

Area of interest

1689 1715 1719 1745 Clans Claverhouse Prince Charles Edward

Prestonpans Battlefield

Location

EH33 1LY. Between the A1 and the B1361. Despite development, important areas of the battlefield have survived as open ground, and it remains possible to explore the landmarks and landscape features which determined the events of that dramatic morning. The 'Viewpoint Pyramid' is the best place to start an exploration of the battlefield. It has interpretation panels on its summit and you can join the battlefield trail here. The viewpoint is adjacent to Meadowmill Sports Centre (access from the B1361) where there is parking.

Location

The Battle of Prestonpans was the first battle of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. On 20-21 September 1745 the Jacobite army led by Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) achieved a stunning and unexpectedly one-sided victory over the Government forces led by Sir John Cope. About 50 Jacobites are killed compared with 400 Government troops. Almost all of the Government infantry was captured. The battlefield features a series of interpretation panels, several stone monuments and memorials, a viewpoint, and a mini-museum at Bankton Doocot. There is also a museum dedicated to the battle in the town of Prestonpans itself (https://jacobitescotland.org/explore/prestonpans-jacobite-museum/).

Access

Viewpoint and trail at all times. There is a free app to guide your exploration and a downloadable leaflet.

Website

https://www.battleofprestonpans1745.org/visit/places-to-visit/

Contact

01875 819922

Area of interest

1745 Battlefield Prince Charles Edward

Cromdale

Location

On the hillside to the east of the A95 at Cromdale village where there is parking. The Kirk is next to the River Spey to the NW of the village.

Location

On the hillside to the east of the A95 at Cromdale village where there is parking. The Kirk is next to the River Spey to the NW of the village.

Site of the final battle of the 1689 Rising on 1 May 1690. The Jacobite force of 1,500 was surprised in its camps at dawn by a larger government force and forced to flee. The Jacobites may have lost up to 400 men killed or captured. Lethendry Castle and the 'Piper's Stone' (both signposted locally) have links to the battle. A memorial plaque is fixed on the Watch House adjacent to the Kirk where the Government forces crossed the River Spey.

Access

No restrictions. A battlefield leaflet is available locally (see weblink for download).

Website

https://www.breakawaylodges.com/desktop/web/ckfinder/userfiles/files/3792%20BATTLE%20OF%20CROMDALE%20LEAFLET.pdf

Area of interest

1689 Battlefield

Dunkeld Cathedral

In the aftermath of Killiecrankie the victorious Jacobites moved south to attack the government's garrison at Dunkeld on 21 August 1689. The Cameronian regiment fortified the cathedral and held them off, although their colonel, William Cleland, was killed and is buried in the cathedral's nave . The town was badly damaged during the fighting. The cathedral choir now serves as the parish church and also houses the Chapter House Museum while the ruinous nave and grounds are in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Access

Parking available in Dunkeld. Cathedral is visible from the grounds. The grounds are accessible but there is currently no visitor access to the cathedral due to restrictions in place as a precautionary measure while high level masonry inspections are made.

Website

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dunkeld-cathedral/

Area of interest

1689 Battlefield Clans

Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre

Location

Postcode: IV2 5EU. Five miles east of Inverness, signposted off the A9/B9006. Parking available on site, some of which is charged.

Location

Postcode: IV2 5EU. Five miles east of Inverness, signposted off the A9/B9006. Parking available on site, some of which is charged.

The iconic site of the battle where the Jacobite forces of Prince Charles Edward were totally defeated by the army of the Duke of Cumberland on 16 April 1746. A key area of the battlefield is owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland, and parts have been effectively restored to their original appearance. There are interpreted trails around this part of the battlefield, which includes the Jacobite grave markers and the memorial cairn. The story of the campaign, the battle and its aftermath are effectively told in the adjacent visitor centre, which displays many items from both sides of the conflict and features an evocative cinematic representation of the battle.

Access

The battlefield is open at all times, with pathways to facilitate access around the site. Visitor Centre opening hours change seasonally (check website) and admission charges apply.

Website

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/culloden

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/culloden/planning-your-visit

Contact

Email: culloden@nts.org.uk
Phone: 01463 796090

Area of interest

1745 Battlefield Collection Duke of Cumberland Museum Prince Charles Edward