APRIL 1746 directed the course of history for Scotland and the outcome of the Battle of Culloden had a major impact on Europe and across the world.
The 280th anniversary of the infamous battle is on Thursday, April 16 and the events of that unfolding day will be recalled and discussed in a special gathering in Dunoon.
At Culloden, the Jacobite army took their last stand to reclaim the thrones of Britain from the Hanoverians for a Stuart king. The Jacobites fought to restore the exiled James VIII as king and were led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart, James’s son. George II’s government army, led by the Duke of Cumberland, George’s son, was equally determined to stop this happening.
In spring 1746, the Jacobite rising was in trouble. The decision to return north from Derby, rather than press on to London, had marked a turning point in their fortunes.
Despite victory at the Battle of Falkirk in January, the Jacobites had not capitalised on their success. Now Charles was heading to meet the Duke of Cumberland’s troops in the Highlands, to prevent them from taking Inverness.
However, many Jacobite troops were still far from Inverness and were urgently summoned to join the Prince. Food and money were in short supply and the army was not at full force and few commanders thought they could win a battle in this state.
In contrast, Cumberland marched his troops from Aberdeen in good order. They were closing in on the Jacobite army for what would become the decisive
battle. Morale was high as they camped at Nairn on April 15, Cumberland’s 25th birthday. He gave his soldiers extra rations and drink in celebration.
As the 16th dawned, some of the Jacobite leaders favoured they retreat to high ground south of the River Nairn. The Prince preferred to fight where they stood, on the moor at Culloden. With Cumberland’s army in sight, the pipers began to play and the tired army struggled into position.
Hardly an hour had passed between the first shots and the final flight of the Prince’s army. Bonnie Prince Charlie watched as the Duke of Cumberland emerged victorious. Although a short battle by European standards, it was an exceptionally bloody one that changed life in the Highlands forever.
Cowal Heritage Society will be commemorating the 280th anniversary with talks and a film in the Argyll Hotel, Dunoon on Thursday, April 16.
The event is free to attend (although donations towards the room hire will be welcomed) starts at 4pm with the showing of Culloden, an iconic 1964 docudrama written and directed by Peter Watkins.
Then from 7pm Tony MacEwen, the chair of the UK and Ireland branch of the Clan Maclachlan Society, and Kenneth Whyte, head guide at Inveraray Castle, will be delivering presentations related to the landmark battle.
Two days later on Saturday, April 18, the Society will mark another anniversary. Dunoon Pier will be open to the public from 10am to 4pm for a free event entitled
Steamers of the Clyde. Featuring talks by former PS Waverley Quartermaster Iain Quinn (11am, 1pm and 3pm) and working models of the Waverley, Duchess of Hamilton and Jeanie Deans, the day kicks off the 80th anniversary celebrations of the famous paddle steamer that is still a regular visitor to Dunoon.
