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A low stone enclosure on the grassy floor of Glen Shiel, the steep hillsides rising into cloud behind.
Ross and Cromarty

Battle of Glen Shiel

The site of the only battle of the 1719 Jacobite rising, in a narrow stretch of Glen Shiel by the A87, with information panels, a cairn and Sgurr nan Spainteach above.

Welcome

Driving through Glen Shiel on the road to Skye, it is easy to pass the place where the Jacobite rising of 1719 came to an end.

In the spring of that year Spain had sent a fleet to land an army in England; it turned back in a storm, but a small diversionary force of some 300 Spanish marines landed in Lochalsh, unaware they were on their own. Only about a thousand clansmen joined them.

On 10 June they stood where the glen narrows, holding the steep slopes on either side, against a Government army of about 850 foot soldiers, dragoons and mortars. The fighting began in the early evening; by nine o'clock it was over. Most of the Spanish marines surrendered, and 274 of them were later sent home to Spain.

Today panels set in a stone wall at the foot of the glen tell the story, with a cairn nearby. Above, the mountain on whose flanks the Spanish fought still carries their name: Sgurr nan Spainteach, the Peak of the Spaniards.

A short drive awayChocolates of GlenshielHandmade chocolates in the glen.7 min by roadSee itBox of assorted Highland chocolates from chocolatesofglenmarkie.com on a wooden slice
Before you go

The battlefield can be visited at any time, free, from the lay-bys on the A87.

Information panels in a stone wall at the foot of the glen tell the story.

Where
On the A87, about 7 miles south-east of Shiel Bridge.
When
10 June 1719.
Above
Sgurr nan Spainteach.
Where it is

On the north side of the A87 in Glen Shiel, about seven miles south-east of Shiel Bridge, with lay-bys nearby.

Close byKintail.
  1. Gravestones and gorse bushes below mountains flanking a wide glenClachan Duich Burial GroundThe old church that sheltered the Jacobite wounded.8 miles11 min by road
  2. The stone cairn at the Ratagan Pass viewpoint, the Five Sisters of Kintail rising above Loch Duich beyond.Ratagan Pass viewpoint8 miles10 min by road
  3. The A87 running beside Loch Cluanie under snow-covered mountains, a car on the road.Loch CluanieA long hydro reservoir beside the A87 on the road to Skye, under the Munros of Glen Shiel, with the Cluanie Inn at its head.10 miles12 min by road
  4. Eilean Donan CastleEilean Donan CastleThe castle the Navy blew up a month before the battle.13 miles17 min by road
  5. The roofless stone ranges of Bernera Barracks standing in rough grass with a hill behind.Bernera BarracksThe substantial ruins of redcoat barracks built near Glenelg after 1715 to guard the crossing to Skye, for up to 240 soldiers.15 miles19 min by road
Directions
Box of assorted Highland chocolates from chocolatesofglenmarkie.com on a wooden sliceShoppingChocolates of Glenshiel5.5 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the battlefield, and when each is next free.

Glen Affric Estate, Inverness-shireGlen Affric Estate
  • Sleeps 14
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 13 miles from Glen Shiel
Check datesEilean Sionnach Lighthouse Cottage
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 18 miles from Glen Shiel
Check datesKinloch Lodge, Isle of SkyeKinloch Lodge
  • To stay
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 18 miles from Glen Shiel
Check datesStone-walled cottage interior with wood-burning stove, leather sofa and kitchen tableLusa Bothy
  • To stay
  • In Ross and Cromarty
  • 20 miles from Glen Shiel
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Ross and CromartyAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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