Inverness, Scotland
Ever heard of the Battle of Culloden? It is one of the most important events in Scottish history. Occurring on April 16, 1746, it pitted the Jacobites, then in full insurrection, against the English… An unequal battle, bloodily crushed by the far more numerous and better-prepared British troops.
The outcome of this battle marked a real turning point in the Scottish geopolitical situation at the time. Even today, it remains a bitter moment for the Scots.
A look back at this historic battle, which changed the face of Scotland forever.
17th century. Nothing is going well between the Jacobites and the English.
It all began in 1688 with the Glorious Revolution, which saw Catholic King James II (James VII in Scotland) deposed by a coalition of parliamentarians and replaced by his Protestant daughter, Mary II, and her husband, William III of Orange.
This revolution led to a series of religious and political tensions, particularly in Scotland and Ireland, where many Catholics and other followers of James II never accepted the transition.
Supporters of James II and his descendants, known as Jacobites, sought to restore the Stuart dynasty to the British throne. Their attempts materialized in several rebellions, the most significant of which were those of 1715 and 1745.
The first rebellion, led by James II’s son, James Francis Edward Stuart (the Old Pretender), failed to gather enough support.
In 1745, the Jacobite movement was revived by Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, son of James Francis Edward Stuart. Charles Edward landed in Scotland in July 1745 with a handful of supporters, hoping to rally Highland clans and other Jacobite backers to his cause.
Charles Edward won a series of surprising victories, notably at the Battle of Prestonpans in September 1745. Encouraged by these successes, the Jacobites advanced southwards, even reaching Derby in England in December 1745.
However, faced with a lack of English support and imminent government reinforcements, they were forced to retreat to Scotland.
The Jacobite forces were mainly made up of Highland clans. They were ill-equipped, tired and demoralized after their retreat from Derby and the difficulties encountered during the previous winter. Fatigue, malnutrition and disease had somewhat decimated their ranks.
Unfortunately, it is during this period that Charles Edward Stuart is thought to have made several controversial decisions in the days leading up to the Battle of Culloden.
For example, an attempted night raid on the government camp on the eve of the battle failed, leaving the Jacobite forces even more exhausted and disorganized. What’s more, the choice to fight on Culloden moor, a swampy and open terrain, was disadvantageous for the Jacobites, who would have done better to choose terrain more favorable to their close-combat tactics.
On the morning of April 16, the two armies lined up on Culloden Heath. The Jacobites, some 5,000 strong, were positioned in a single line, while the government army, some 8,000 strong, was arranged in three parallel lines.
The marshy terrain of Culloden Moor was a real pain for the Jacobites, as it limited their ability to execute their famous Highlander charges.
The battle began with government artillery opening fire on the Jacobite ranks.
The Jacobite cannons, inferior in number and quality, could not respond effectively.
Artillery fire caused significant losses among the Jacobite ranks and helped to disorganize their lines.
Around noon, under constant artillery fire, Charles Edward Stuart gave the order to charge. The Highlanders crossed the marshy terrain towards the government lines, but their progress was slowed by the muddy ground and sustained enemy musketry and artillery fire.
When the Jacobites finally reached government lines, they were met with fierce resistance. The British soldiers, formed in close ranks, repelled the charge with bayonets and disciplined fire. The Jacobite line quickly collapsed under the pressure, and many men were killed, wounded or captured.
The battle lasted less than an hour. After the defeat, the surviving Jacobites tried to flee, but many were pursued and shot by Cumberland’s troops.
The Duke of Cumberland, later nicknamed “the Butcher” for his brutality, ordered that no prisoners be taken, leading to a massacre of fleeing Jacobite forces.
The battle of Culloden was a bloody affair, lasting less than an hour but causing considerable losses.
On the Jacobite side, around 1,500 to 2,000 men were killed or wounded, while on the government side, losses were lower, with around 50 to 300 men killed or wounded.
The brutality of the battle and the ruthless pursuit of survivors by government forces resulted in a high death toll, which is difficult to estimate.
The defeat at Culloden was a devastating blow for the Jacobites. Not only did it mark the end of their aspirations to restore the Stuart dynasty to the British throne, it also brought severe repercussions for the Scottish Highlanders.
Many clan chiefs were killed or exiled, clan lands were confiscated, and measures were taken to suppress Gaelic culture and dismantle clan structures.
The government victory at Culloden consolidated British rule over Scotland and reinforced the authority of central government in London.
Repressive laws were enacted to pacify the Highlands, banning the wearing of tartan and kilt, dissolving clan structures, and repressing the use of Gaelic. These measures profoundly affected Scottish society and contributed to the forced assimilation of Highlanders into the United Kingdom.
Today, Culloden’s fields are still intact. In themselves, they’re a real reason to stop off, if only to gain a better understanding of Scottish history, but also to plunge into the heart of a dark episode in the country’s history.
Many Scots still regularly pay homage to their Jacobite ancestors, who risked their lives to fight for their beliefs.
Also, don’t forget that the site is a “sacred place”, which must be respected. It is important to the Scottish population, and remains a means of remembering the past…
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