Battle of Falkirk Muir - 1746

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Our trustee, Roddy Tulloch, has organised a guided battlefield walk where he will discuss some of the key events that unfolded on the 17 January 1746. The walk is on Saturday 17 August at 12:30 meeting at Bantaskine (details via the link at the bottom).

After the walk, Roddy will show and describe some of the weapons from the Trusts collection that were used during the battle including some Scottish basket hilted swords, bayonets, dirks, muskets and pistols.

This event has been scheduled as part of Jacobite Scotland's Jacobite Festival.

We only have a limited number of tickets available via the link below including date and time:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-battle-of-falkirk-muir-battlefield-walk-and-weapons-display-tickets-969156993657?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

We’re very excited to introduce the 2024 Jacobite Festival, which will take place across multiple locations in Scotland between the 16th and 25th of August.

Follow in the footprints of Bonnie Prince Charlie - and earlier Jacobites too - as we highlight just a few of the key historical sites and collections that reflect this period of political and military conflict.

From Inverness and the Isle of Skye all the way to Edinburgh and the Borders, these independent events will take you on a journey to discover how Scotland's culture and communities were changed forever during the Jacobite period.

Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing details from each of the events that have prepared exhibitions, guided tours, and more as part of this festival, as well as highlighting some of Scotland's most important Jacobite sites.

We hope to see you there. https://jacobitescotland.org/festival/

With thanks to our friends at The Car And Van Rental Co. who donated a Transit van to the Trust we now have our own set of wheels.

We arranged to get our battle of Falkirk Muir painting by Chris Collingwood reproduced as a vehicle decal and these have been applied to the van making our Transit hard to miss. It should bring the fact that a battle was fought in the Falkirk area to the attention of the wider public.

Last year we participated in several events where we take along our gazebo (essential equipment at Glenfinnan where it it seems to rain a lot) banners and flags. Having our own van will make things a lot easier.

Give us a wave if you pass us!

A number of years ago I was fortunate to get a tour round Kilravock Castle (pronounced Kilrawk) which is situated 6 miles from the Culloden battlefield close to Croy. The Keep, which forms the central section of the fortified structure, was built round about 1460.

Since that date the building has been owned and lived in by the Chiefs of the Clan Rose. That was until the last of the line, Anna Elizabeth Emily Guillemard Rose, 25th of Kilravock died peacefully, at Nairn on 9 December 2012, aged 88 years

The castle has an important place in Jacobite history as, in a bizarre twist of fate, Hugh Rose, the 17th Baron of Kilravock, played host to both of the warring cousins Prince Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and William Augustus, the Duke of Cumberland, in the days running up to the Battle of Culloden.

There is, however, some confusion as to the actual date Prince Charles visited the castle. In Walter Biggar Blaikie's book published in 1897 'The Itinerary of the Prince Charles Edward Stuart' the author makes reference to Prince Charles visiting during the day on the 15th April 1746. However, the inscription on the silver band round the rim of a coconut cup that was held in the castle states that it was 'Prince Charles' cup at Kilravock Monday April 14th 1746'.

The history of the castle records that ''about two o'clock (in the afternoon) an officer from Prince Charles Stuart arrived at Kilravock to announce that it was the intention of the Prince to dine that day at the castle. Kilravock and his Lady made the best preparation that the shortness of the time permitted for the reception of so illustrious a guest, and in about an hour after the Prince reached the castle, and was received with all respect, though Kilravock was on the opposite side.

He asked to see Mr Rose's children, praised their looks, and kissed each of them on the forehead. Having walked out (in the garden) with the Laird previous to dinner, he observed several people engaged in planting trees and remarked - ''how happy you must be Mr Rose in being thus peacefully engaged when the whole country round about you is in a stir''. Kilravock who was a capitol performer, having taken up a violin (Cittern) and played an Italian Minnet said to the Prince - ''that if I mistake not is a favourite of your Royal Highness''. ''That is a favourite of mine. Mr Rose is certain but how come you to know that it is so I am quite at a loss to guess''. ''That sir'' replied Mr Rose ''may serve to show you that whatever people of your rank do or say is sure to be remarked'' ''I thank you'' said the Prince for that observation.

The Prince, and Mr Hay, his Secretary, dined with Mr and Mrs Rose, while forty of the Prince's attendants dined in the large room adjoining. The passage between the rooms was guarded by two of the Prince's officers, with drawn swords, while has was at dinner.

When the cloth was removed (a curtain covering the door) Kilravock proposed to the Prince he should allow these gentlemen to go to dinner adding - ''your Royal Highness may be satisfied that your are completely safe in this house'' to which he replied - ''I know sir, that I am safe here, you can desire them to go to dinner''. Some joking followed at the expense of the Prince's Secretary who expressed a wish to see a large china bowl capable of containing sixteen bottles of liquor, filled. It was promptly filled with good Whisky punch. After drinking a few glasses of wine the Prince rose to depart but insisted Mr Hay, since he had challenged the bowl, must see it out. He took but one glass and accompanied his master to Culloden''.

Kilravock Wood also played a part in the downfall of the Jacobite night march, according to historian Christopher Duffy's book The '45.

''On the 15th, the night before the battle of Culloden, 'Soldiers were delayed as they negotiated a breach in a wall around the woodland and elements (of the Jacobite army) became lost among the trees''.

Charles' younger cousin and nemesis, The Duke of Cumberland slept the night of the 15th in the town house of Kilravock at Nairn, and passed the gates of Kilravock castle about nine o'clock next morning on his march to Culloden. Kilravock was there to receive him. ''So I understand you had my cousin Charles here yesterday''. ''Yes please your Royal Highness'' replied Kilravock '' not having an armed force I could not prevent him''. ''You did perfectly right'' said the Duke '' and I entirely approve of your conduct''

It seems the Duke spent the night after the battle in the castle.

These events were so important to the castle's history that a collection of items associated to the visitors were retained by the family for more than 270 years.

A while ago the Battle of Falkirk Muir (1746) Trust were fortunate to acquire this exceptional collection of five artefacts. These are as follows:

1 Coconut cup used by Bonnie Prince Charlie. In the 18th century Coconuts were rare and therefore expensive. A coconut cup would be more prestigious than a similar silver cup which is why it would be given to the Prince to drink out off.
2 Punch bowl and plate - this is an unusually large 18th century Famille Rose china bowl which has it's original plate. This is the one referred to in the above narrative which was filled with sixteen bottles of best whisky at Secretary John Murray of Broughton request.
3 Cittern - said to be the one played by the 17th Baron of Kilravock to entertain Prince Charles.
4 British Army Dragoon boots -a very rare survival. These heavy square toe knee length boots are constructed out of very thick leather. The top sections of each boots is missing due to wear while being stored in the castle. Boots such as these acted as armour providing protection to the Dragoon's legs from sword cuts while on his horse. One of the boots shows a circular hole that has been repaired by sowing in a patch of leather. It is difficult to determine what caused the hole. It may have been a result of a swipe by a sword, a hit by a musket ball or perhaps just the result of wear and tear. The castle tradition is that these boots were left by one of the Dragoon officers who spent the night in the castle after the battle of Culloden.
5 Brown Bess musket barrel excavated on the estate. Perhaps dropped by a Jacobite soldier during the night march through Kilravock woods.

Culloden Weapons

I thought that for our third posting to commemorate the 278th anniversary of the battle of Culloden I would get together some weapons from the Museum's collection that were used (or at least were present) during the battle. A brief description of them is as follows:

1 Brown Bess musket barrel in 'excavated' condition (shown on red background). This was found on the battlefied during the 19th century.

2 Basket hilted backsword in 'excavated' condition (shown on the red background with the white label at the top of the blade). The form of the basket indicates it was made by John Simpson of Glasgow. The basket has a rein loop indicating it was likely used by a mounted soldier. The basket of this sword is larger and therefore heavier than most examples. The label reads 'found on the battlefield of Culloden 1878 and has been in my collection'.

3 Sword blade in 'excavated' condition. (shown on red background)

4 Basket hilted backsword in 'excavated' condition (shown on red background together with sword 2 above). The form of this sword also indicates it was made by John Simpson and the basket is stamped with his initials. It also has a rein loop which has the remnants of 'Ligonier' stamped on it. This sword was used by Gardeners Dragoons at the battle of Prestonpans. As Colonel Gardiner was killed during this action his Regiment was renamed Ligonier after Sir Francis Ligonier who became their new commander. Ligonier's Dragoons fought at Falkirk Muir where most members of the Regiment were killed or injured. As an attempt has been made to remove Ligonier from the basket (only three letters are visable) it can be assumed the sword was collected by a Jacobite after the battle who tried to remove the evidence that it had belonged to the British Army and he would more than likely used it at the next battle which was Culloden.

This sword is shown next to the sword described at item 2 in order to show the smilarity in style between the two and it also highlights the difference in the size of the baskets.

5 A cutlass. In 'excavated' condition (shown on red background with the curved blade) This sword is similar to the example exhibited in Achnacarry Museum. It is thought that their example was dropped by a French sailor off loading supplies for the Jacobites. This Cutlass was found on the extended battlefield during the first half of the 20th century.

6 Basket hilted broadsword with a silver plaque attached. In 'excavated' condition (shown on red background with broken blade). The label states that the sword was 'found at King Stables cottage 1911'. The basket shows both repaired damage and unrepaired damage. The unrepaired damage most likely occured during the fighting at Culloden whilst the repaired damage would have happened during a previoius battle. As a result of the late Dr Christopher Duffy's research the current thinking is that the battle lines extended north over an area much larger than the land currently owned by the National Trust. It is therefore difficult to work out precisely which of the clans was based near the cottage.

7 The sword with the shell guard is believed to have been used by a member of Fitzjames Cavalry. (shown on red background).

8 Of the two round shot one has been fired as there is a flattened area which has been caused by the force of the gunpowder. There other example looks as if it hasn't been used.

9 The Targe, Basket hilted broadsword and brace of Doune pistols were owned by the Earl of Sutherland who was present during the battle. More information on these weapons can be seen in our first post for this year's commemoration of the battle.

10 Silver inlaid Doune pistol by Thomas Caddell (shown on red baclground). Quite often the cartouches on either side of the grip were engraved with the owner's coat of arms. This pistol has had the arms removed and replaced with the following inscription 'taken at the battle of Coloden April 16 1746'. The inscription indicates that rather than being found on the ground (the inscription would have read 'found' rather than 'taken') the pistol was surrundered by a Jacobite officer to presumably a redcoat officer. There is a possibility that an x-ray might reveal the coat of arms that was previously engraved on the grip.

11 Silver inlaid pistol in excavated condition. (shown on a red background). Unfortunately the pistol maker's name is not visible due to the deterioration of the steel caused by being in the ground. Similarly to the previous pistol an x-ray might show enough detail to work out the maker's name.

12 Basket hilted backsword with rein loop. (shown on blue background) The top of the blade is etched with a crown GR and Cobham. This indicates the sword was issued to a member of the 10th (Cobham) Dragoons. During the battle Cobhams Regiment was split in half and was deployed on both flanks of Cumberland's forces. After the battle Cobhams chased that part of the Jacobite army that retreated to Inverness. It is said they slaughtered everybody they caught up with on the road to Inverness, whether Jacobite combatant or innocent civilian.

13 Basket hilted Broadsword that was carried by Alexander Forbes, 4th Lord Forbes of Pitsligo. (2 images shown on grey background). James VIII arranged to get several German made blades etched and gilded with the following messages: one side 'Prosperity to Schotland and no union' and on the other 'For God my Country and King James the 8th'. These blades were gifted to leading Scottish Jacobite nobility who arranged to get the baskets fitted. These swords are very rare and are known as 'Jacobite swords'.

During the '45 Pitsligo formed a Regiment of horse, however, their horses were given over to the Fitzjames cavalry who had been shipped over from France. Unfortunately the ship carrying their horses was captured by the British Navy. While Pitslido's men fought on foot with the rest of Prince Charles' forces the elderly Lord Pitsligo who was 67 when the battle was fought would have kept his horse and would have watched while the events unfolded.

14 Battle debris in excavated condition. (shown on green background). The items include a badly deteriorated pistol, some buttons and buckles and pieces from muskets. A couple of items have still to be identified if anybody recognisses them please let us know through the comments. One is the Rams head badge at the back of the image. The other is the silver crown at the front.

The Trust is a Scottish charity which is trying to construct a new museum to commemorate the various Jacobite Risings during the 17th & 18th centuries. In order to help realise our plans so you will be able to see our fantastic collection of Jacobite artifacts a 'justfunding' page has been set up by one of our supporters, Yvette the Wayfairing Kiwi. A donation of £10 or £20 which will help make this project a reality can be made by following this link - https://www.justgiving.com/page/wayfaringkiwi

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir James Adolphus Oughton

Sir James Adolphus Oughton (London 1720-1780 Bath) took over command of the British Army's 37th Regiment of Foot after the previous commander, Sir Robert Munro, was slain along with his brother, Dr Duncan Munro, during the battle of Falkirk Muir. Fought on 17th January 1746 the battle was the second and last major Jacobite victory.

At Culloden on 16th April 1746 the 37th was positioned on the left next to Barrells Regiment on the front line. These two regiments received the full force of the Highland charge led by Lord George Murray. As a result most of the British Army's estimated 50 casulties came from these two regiments.

The battle was a resounding success for the British Army and effectively spelt the end of the Jacobite threat. In order to celebrate their success several of the British Army's officers came together on the night of the battle to form a drinking club that they called 'The Cumberland Society'. It was named after the army's commander at the battle, the Duke of Cumberland.

Oughton was appointed Secretary to the Society, as such he was responsible for creating and recording the rules of the Society. These rules included:
1 As the Duke of Cumberland had turned 25 the night before the battle it was decided that there should be 25 members of the Society all of whom were officers who had just fought in the battle
2 Each year a new member would be elected and any members who had died during the year would be replaced. Therefore the number of members would equate to the Duke of Cumberland's age. As Cumberland died in 1765 at the age of 44 that turned out to be the maximum number of members at any one time.
3 Medals were to be struck. Our collection has two examples which are shown in the images. The silver coloured one is made of pewter and is thought to be a trial strike piece. The other is a gold medal. It is not known if all issued medals were gold or if some were silver. The medals were worn round the neck on a green and pink ribbon.
4 The Society's members were to wear the medals if they fought in any future battles.
5 The Society agreed to replace any medals lost during fighting.
6 The Society agreed to meet once a year on 15th April, the Duke's birthday.

The silver flask shown in the images is thought to have been made by the Edinburgh goldsmith Ebaneezer Oliphant (1713-1798). Oliphant has strong Jacobite sympathies. He made the exquisite silver travelling canteen that was a 21st birthday present for Prince Charles who used it during the '45 campaign. It was recovered from his personal baggage train which was left at Culloden after Prince Charles' defeat.

Oughton's Coat of Arms is shown on one side of the flask and the attached cup.

On the other side of our flask Oughton had engraved the following legend 'Ex praeda praedatoris Glengary 1746'. This translates as 'from the treachery of the traitor Glengary 1746'

The Glengary referred to was the chief of the MacDonells of Glengarry who lived in Glengary Castle. The Castle is located in the Great Glen overlooking Loch Oich on Creagan an Fhithich (the Raven's rock).

Due to it's strategic location pocession of the castle changed hands several times during the various Jacobite uprisings. For example in 1715 it was held by the Jacobites but retaken by the British army in 1716. It was again under Jacobite control in 1745. Prince Charles Edward visited the castle on his way to Edinburgh after raising his Royal Standard at Glenfinnan. He also called in on the castle the day after his army's defeat at Culloden when he found the castle empty. The records indicate that one of his party fished in the Loch and they cooked and ate the fish in the empty building.

As was usual during a civil war the Chiefs of the MacDonells showed divided loyalty to the warring parties. John, the 12th of Glengarry did not raise the clan. However, his younger brother, Aeneas, did. Aeneas and 800 Glengarry men fought at Highbridge, Prestonpans, Clifton Moor and Falkirk Muir. Tragically he was mortally wounded after that battle when a Jacobite soldier who was cleaning out a musket collected from the battlefield was unaware it had been double loaded with two musket balls. Therefore, when he fired the piece to clear the gunpowder the second bullet shot out the weapon and unfortunately struck Aeneas as he was walking down the Falkirk street. Aeneas was laid to rest in the Old Parish Church in Falkirk. The unfortunate soldier who fired the bullet was shot by firing squad.

A few days after Prince Charles had stayed in the castle Oughton arrived with some troops. Contemporary accounts indicate that they ransacked the castle. It is likely that this would be when the silver flask came into his posession. Subsequently Cumberland ordered that the castle be razed which is surprising as the Chief had not participated in the Rising and that would normally have secured his property.

Despite their best efforts the sheer thickness of the walls prevented the total destruction of the building and we have been left with the romantic ruins that we see today.

The detruction and theft of property was the least of the crimes committed by Cumberland and his troops in the years following Culloden. Many northern Scottish communities not only had their houses destroyed, their live stock and crops removed they also had many of the men imprisoned, deported to the plantations as slaves or executed.

The Trust is a Scottish charity which is trying to construct a new museum to commemorate the various Jacobite Risings during the 17th & 18th centuries. In order to help realise our plans so you will be able to see our fantastic collection of Jacobite artifacts a 'justfunding' page has been set up by one of our supporters, Yvette the Wayfairing Kiwi. A donation of £10 or £20 which will help make this project a reality can be made by following this link https://www.justgiving.com/page/wayfaringkiwi

Earl of Sutherland Weapons

This Basket hilted back sword, targe and brace of Doune pistols belonged to William Sutherland the 17th Earl of Sutherland (1708-1750).

In order to prove his loyalty to the Hanoverians the Earl raised, at his expense, two regiments of Independent Highland Companies. He commanded one of his Companies at Culloden where it was positioned in the third line. He would have had these weapons on him during the battle.

Interestingly Sutherland was married to Elizabeth, the 3rd Earl of Wemyss' daughter. Elizabeth was Lord Elcho's sister. Lord Elcho commanded Elcho's Lifeguards in Prince Charles' army.

In a desperate attempt to recover a large quantity of French gold that had been seized by the British Army after the ship carrying the coin ran aground in the Kyle of Tongue the Earl of Cromarty was sent north. On the way back from his unsuccessful mission he called in at Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland's seat. I believe this was to visit Elizabeth in order let her know how her brother was keeping while serving the Prince. To avoid being accused of being a secret Jacobite Sutherland claimed he left his castle by a back door as Elcho entered through the front door.

Unfortunately for Cromarty his party were intercepted by one of Sutherland's Independent Companies who just happened to be in the area. Cromarty and the some other officers retuned to the castle where they later surrendered. Meanwhile the remainder of his Jacobite force tried to escape through Littleferry where they were either shot, drowned in the sea or were captured. This action is known as the skirmish of Littleferry.

For his part, the government were not wholly convinced that Sutherland did not have Jacobite sympathies and he did not get all the money he spent raising the Independent Companies repaid to him. When he died three years later he had large debts.

The weapons shown in the images are as follows:
1 A very rare surviving Highland Targe. It is made from oak planks. The front is covered in leather which has been blind tooled. It has brass studs and a central boss that would once have held a screwed in spike. Amazingly the reverse still has it's original deer skin covering. The targe has been carbon dated to 1745.

2 The basket hilted backsword still retains it's original leather scabbard although the chape is missing.

3 The brace of silver mounted Doune pistols were made by Alexander Campbell one of Scotland's leading 18th century pistol makers. The style of these pistols indicate they were
produced in the 1730s.

This is a unique collection of weapons that were carried by one man who was present during the battle of Culloden.

The Trust is a Scottish charity which is trying to construct a new museum to commemorate the various Jacobite Risings during the 17th & 18th centuries. In order to help realise our plans so you will be able to see our fantastic collection of Jacobite artefacts a 'justfunding' page has been set up by one of our supporters, Yvette the Wayfairing Kiwi. A donation of £10 or £20 which will help make this project a reality can be made by following this link - https://www.justgiving.com/page/wayfaringkiwi

As part of the Trust's ongoing project to create a collection of Stuart statuary we were given permission by the Hunterian Museum and Art Galleryto 3D their death mask of Prince Charles Edward Stuart who died on 30th January 1788 at the age of 67.

Our plan is to put these statues on public display.

The images show the desk mask being scanned by Andy with Jesper from the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery

The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallerys accession number for the mask is GLAHM:112143 and full details of the mask can be found at the following link - https://www.gla.ac.uk/collections/ #/details?irn=110875&catType=C&referrer=/results&q=GLAHM:112143

We are grateful to the support of Wayfaring Kiwi for our project

For a while now, I've been waiting for the right charity to partner with to really help them make a difference. And I've found it!

In January I attended the Battle of Falkirk Muir Conference. My ancestors had fought in this battle, so I was intrigued to learn more.

I learned the Battle of Falkirk Muir was the largest battle during the 1745/1746 Jacobite Risings, yet it does not get the recognition it deserves.

I also learned they are fundraising to build a Visitor Centre that commemorates this battle, and will also have a museum showcasing one of the biggest collections of Jacobite memorabilia in Scotland!

The centre will be a wonderful addition to the community, promoting local tourism, and creating jobs.

And how fantastic would it be to be a part of making this happen? This will be something for everyone to enjoy- and I hope one day you can visit and learn about this integral part of Scotland's story.

My dream is to raise £300,000 for the visitor centre- this would mean they would be able to get up and running with a temporary building, until they raise enough to have the new one built.

This is why I'm asking for your help. I believe in the power of community- and if every person in my wee online space were to make a small donation, we could make the visitor centre a reality!

Make a donation here 👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/wayfaringkiwi?utm_term=D7kP9W7Qr

As part of the museum's ongoing project to create a collection of Jacobite sculptures we tracked down the only known bust of Maria Clementina Sobieska. Clementina was married to Kings James VIII and was mother to Prince Charles Edward and Henry Benedict.

She lived most of her married life in Rome and died there on 18th January 1735 at the age of 32. She is interred in the crypt under St Peters.

Roddy, our Trustee undertook the arduous task of going to Rome to arrange to get the bust of Clementina scanned ready for 3D printing. Whilst there he also undertook the equally arduous task of watching Scotland play Italy in the rugby six Nations.

The images show Giacomo at futura 3d scanning the bust which, given the nature of the bust, took several hours to complete.

We are looking forward to seeing the bust printed out and taking her place with our other sculptures. We will also get some miniatures printed out as we have with our Bonnie Prince Charlie bust. These will be for sale to raise funds for the museum.

The massacre in Glencoe - legitimate policing of the Highlands or the persecution of a Jacobite clan?

James VII ascended the thrones of Scotland, England, Ireland (and France) in 1685 after the death of his elder brother, Charles II. By then James had converted to Catholicism and, after the death of his first wife, Anne, had married the Catholic Mary of Modena.

Prior to ascending the throne, James as Duke of York, had promoted a number of policies to remove the obstacles to Catholic equality within the country. Whilst these policies would have undoubtedly concerned the vast majority of the population who were non Catholic it seems they were tolerated as there was an expectation of a Protestant succession on James' death through his eldest daughter Mary.

This all changed in June 1688 when James' wife, Mary, gave birth to their son, the future James VIII, meaning a Catholic succession was likely.

As a result of the 'Glorious Revolution' in December 1688 James VII was deposed by his eldest daughter, Mary Stuart, and her husband, William of Orange. They would be crowned William III and Mary II.

If you want to 'look into the eyes' of William of Orange the museum has a life-sized bust of William III which can be seen in the attached images. The bust shows him wearing the chain of the premier English Chivalric order, that of The Order of the Garter.

James, his wife and their infant son crossed the channel and, with the assistance of the French King, Louis XIV, set up a rival 'Stuart' Court at Louis' old palace at St Germain-en-Leys located to the north of Paris. James never returned to his Kingdom and spent the rest of his life living in this palace. Indeed when he died his precordia was placed in the Parish church across the road from the palace so part of him is still there. His monument in the church is shown in the images.

Within the Museum's art collection we have an important and intimate portrait of Queen Mary with her son, James, standing on her knee. This large oil on canvas portrait was painted at St Germain-en-Leys in about 1690 by the Italian artist, Benedetto Gennari (Cento, Italy 1633 - 1715 Bologna, Italy).

This is a copy of an even larger full length portrait that Queen Mary commissioned Gennari to paint. Although the full length portrait was intended to be a gift from Mary to her husband it was ultimately given to Mary's brother the Duke of Modena as it is thought James didn't like the portrait when he first saw it. That portrait currently hangs in the Museo Civico of Modena. Our portrait was painted by Gennari as he wanted to keep a copy for himself. When Gennari left the Stuart court he took this portrait with him and it hung in his house in Bologna until his death in 1715

Subsequent to James' arrival at St Germain many Scottish and English Jacobite nobles followed the Royal family to France and lived in and about the Palace where they plotted the return of their 'true' king.

The first Clan Rising happened almost immediately. This was the 1689 campaign was that centred round the battle of Killiecrankie. The very first event was a skirmish fought at St Johnstone, Perth (10th May 1689). Next was the battle of Killiecrankie (27th July 1689). Both were Jacobite victories. The third battle was fought round Dunkeld (21st August 1689), the final battle was fought on the Haughs of Cromdale (30th April 1690). Both were defeats for the Jacobites.

Within our collection of weapons we have a broadsword that belonged to William Blair of Blair, 18th Laird. William was an officer in the Williamite army. He was injured and taken prisoner during the battle of St Johnstone and died of his injuries while being held prisoner by the MacLeans in Duart Castle on Mull.

The Jacobite forces during this campaign of 1689/90 comprised several Highland Clans including the Camerons, Clanranald, Keppoch, MacDonells of Glengarry, MacDonalds of Sleat, MacLeans of Duart and the MacDonalds of Glencoe who were led by their chief Alastair MacIain.

After the resounding Jacobite victory at Killiecrankie the Jacobite forces were brought back down to earth with a defeat at The battle of Dunkeld. On their retreat from Dunkeld the MacDonalds of Glencoe went on a looting spree round the nearby estates including those belonging to Campbell of Glenlyon who's cattle were lifted, his house razed and all the contents removed. As a result Robert Campbell of Glenlyon who's financial position was already precarious was left extremely impoverished and, at the age of 60, was forced to accept a commission in the Williamite army in order to receive an income.

A portrait we have in the museum's collection of Robert as a young man shows him wearing black armour with long fair hair.

As a result of these military insurrections the authorities in Edinburgh decided that the way to stop further uprisings was to break the Clan loyalty to the House of Stuart. After an initial policy of offering cash inducements was found unworkable the Master of Stair, William of Orange's principal advisor, decided to stop dangling a 'carrot' but to use a 'stick' instead. Therefore it was decided in August 1691 to instruct the Clan Chiefs to sign an Oath of Allegiance to King William and Queen Mary. A deadline of 1st January 1692 was imposed.

In the museum's collection we have an example of such an Oath of Allegiance. This one appears to have been signed by numerous members of a particular community. The Oath is written at the top of the document and the signatures are listed in four columns below.

As the clan chiefs' allegiance lay with King James James VII they contacted him to ask if he would release them from their oath to him which would permit them to sign the new oath to William III. Understandably James was reluctant to release the chiefs from their oaths as he knew he would require their support if he was ever to regain his throne.

James concluded, however, that if he didn't release the clan chiefs William would use his military might to suppress the Highland clans. During December 1691 letters were sent by James VII permitting the chiefs to sign the new oaths. Alastair MacIain received his letter on 28th December, three days before the deadline.

Although the appointed place to sign the oath was Inveraray MacIain decided to go to Fort William where he knew the Fort Commander, Colonel Hill. Perhaps he had decided Inveraray was too far for him to travel in the time he had to sign as Fort William was closer to Glencoe and snow was blocking the passes. Alternatively, perhaps he didn't want to feel humiliated submitting to William III in front of his historic enemies, the Campbells, who owned Inveraray.

Colonel Hill said he was willing to formally acknowledge MacIain's willingness to sign the Oath before the deadline but he informed MacIain that he would still have travel to Inveraray in order to sign the document. MacIan did not reach the town until the 5th January when he duly signed the Oath. He returned home thinking he had secured his Clan's safety and that they would not be branded Traitors with the repercussions that would entail.

Records indicate that MacIan was not the only late signatory. Both Keppoch and Glengarry did not sign until February 1692.

The authorities in Edinburgh decided that MacIain's late signing was a sufficient excuse to make an example of them. Stair devised a plan to eradicate the Clan.

On 1st February 1692 Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon was instructed to march a division of 120 men from the Argyll militia to Glencoe and await orders. He and his men availed themselves of the MacDonald's 'Highland hospitality'. They ate and slept in their houses for twelve days until Captain Thomas Drummond arrived in Glen Coe with the order. It stated that at 5am the following morning, 13th February, they were to 'fall' on the Macdonalds. No one under seventy should be spared and Special attention was to be made to ensure the clan chief and his two sons did not escape. At the same time a larger force of 400 men commanded by Major Duncanson was to march into Glencoe to assist Glenlyon and to cut off all escape routes. Fortunately for the MacDonalds this force was hampered by the snow and did not arrive in the Glen until 7am.

It is thought that 30 members of the clan were killed with the rest managing to escape into the mountains and disappear into the heavy snow. As their village was burned down by the Redcoats the survivors sought sanctuary with their near neighbours the Stewarts of Appin.

By the 12th April word got out about the events in Glencoe and Public opinion started to harden against the Government. Despite denials by Glenlyon it was thought at the time that his actions were motivated by revenge for the looting of his estate by the MacDonalds after the battle of Dunkeld.

Sir Thomas Livingstone, military commander in Scotland wrote at the time 'it's not that anyone thinks the thieving tribe did not deserve to be destroyed, but that it should have been done by those quartered amongst them makes a great noise'

In our collection we have a letter written by Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon to the Earl of Argyll. The letter is dated 26th April 1692, 10 weeks after the massacre and only a couple of weeks after the news had come out about the events. It would seem that Argyll was trying to disassociate himself from the massacre as Glenlyon had been trying to meet up with him but Argyll was 'missing'. In the letter he states that he requires payment for some of his men and that one of them has b***y, presumably this refers to items removed from the houses in Glencoe.

Letter is addressed to:

Colin Campbell of Carquhen,
Writer to his majesty signett.

the 26 April 1692

Sir,
Being I am to stay this night and in regard I have mised my Lord Argyll it is ane nesesite you give John fyve dolars I am to give him agen he returne thirte pounds stirling to pay his bootty and John Christholm to yore ane - - of all from him and - - of all be possible yr disposition redy this night for I must away early lest I mis my Lord Argyll if - I hand - I am to write my letters all this night.

I am your humble servant,
Robert Campbell of Glenlyon

We are all to stay tomorrow

In conclusion
There is no single reason why the MacDonalds of Glencoe were singled out for such brutal action against them. I would suggest it was more a combination of the following factors.

1 The requirement to sign the Oath of Allegiance came about as a result of the Jacobite Rising of 1689. The MacDonalds of Glencoe were involved in all three of the major battles, Killiecrankie, Dunkeld and Cromdale therefore their Jacobite sympathies could not be hidden. Had the Rising not occurred the massacre would not have happened.
2 The MacDonald's track record of looting neighbouring estates and their general lawlessness would have made them unpopular with the local landed gentry. These were the very men who were in a position of power and had the authority and resources to arrange such actions. Although Glenlyon refuted the suggestion that the looting of his lands was the motivation for his action. Instead he stated that when he received his orders from Captain Thomas Drummond he was warned that if he did not carrying out the orders to the best of his ability he would be charges with treason. I am sure that threat would have focused his mind on the task that lay ahead.
3 It is estimated that less than 10% of the Scottish population in Scotland at this time were Catholic, The MacDonalds were in a very small minority. Anti Catholic sentiment must have been riding high at the time of the Glorious Revolution and the authorities would have assumed that the vast majority of the public would not have cared about what had happened to a Catholic clan in the north west of Scotland.

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