Glenfinnan and The Raising of The Standard

Glenfinnan at the head of Loch Shiel will forever be associated with the Jacobite rising of 1745, one of the most romanticised and divisive periods of Scottish history.

Charles Edward Stuart, otherwise known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, arrived in Scotland from France with just seven companions and dreams of restoring the Stuart Monarchy. While Charles did have some support from the French, the ship carrying all the men, weapons and gold they provided had traded blows with the British Navy and been forced to return to port.

Scotland had gone through three failed Jacobite risings in the last 60 years, each one taking a heavy toll on any Clan Chiefs who had been involved. Charles had a hard time convincing the Scots that this would be any different. One MacDonald Chief simply told him to go home. Charles just replied that he finally was home and he knew that his loyal Highlanders would support him.

He travelled through the islands, using all of his charm and charisma to try and coerce some support from the Highland men. Charles knew as well as the British government that if the clansmen would unite then they had a force that would outnumber anything that could be pitched against them.

Glenfinnan was the perfect place to gather this Jacobite army. The surrounding land was controlled by powerful clans with hundreds of fighting men, none of whom were fans of the government. It was safe from a sea attack and surrounded by treacherous mountains. However, by the time the Prince arrived in August 1745, things were looking pretty bleak.

He had sent out letters to all of the clans, summoning them to muster their men here at 1pm but so far his army consisted of a grand total of 200 MacDonalds. It was now 3pm and his glorious restoration was looking a little embarrassing.

Just when it looked like the Prince was going to be marching south with no support and his dream in tatters, there came a faint sound from over the hill. As it got louder, it got clearer. It was the skirling of pipes that indicated the arrival of 1000 men from Clan Cameron and relief washed over Charles. Before long another 300 MacDonalds arrived having already fought the first skirmish with government troops on their way. It wasn’t the biggest army in the world but it was a good start.

Charles climbed a small hill by the loch to address the assembled men. His standard was raised and barrels of brandy were opened to reward the men’s loyalty. The campaign could really kick off now and the army grew as it marched numbering around 2500 men a month later at the Battle of Prestonpans.

8 months after the standard was raised, Charles would pass this way again as he escaped from defeat at Culloden. He must have stopped to think about that day in August when he was filled with hope and optimism. Now he was a fugitive with a £30,000 price on his head.