Jacobite Rising – Scotland’s Quest for the Crown
In the summer of 1745, a young prince landed on the remote west coast of Scotland with a dream that would ignite the final chapter of a long and turbulent struggle. Charles Edward Stuart—better known to history as Bonnie Prince Charlie—was just 25 years old when he raised his father’s standard at Glenfinnan, calling the Highland clans to arms. His aim was nothing less than to reclaim the British throne for the House of Stuart.
What followed was one of the most remarkable campaigns in British history. The Jacobite army, though poorly equipped, was fuelled by fierce loyalty, a deep sense of honour, and an intimate knowledge of their rugged homeland. Within weeks they achieved a stunning victory at the Battle of Prestonpans, sweeping aside government troops and sending shockwaves through London.
Yet the tide would turn. Harsh winter marches, dwindling support, and strategic missteps gradually sapped the Jacobite momentum. In April 1746, the two armies met on the windswept moor of Culloden. It was the last pitched battle ever fought on British soil—and it ended in devastating defeat for the Jacobite cause. The reprisals that followed were brutal, marking the end of the clan system and reshaping the Highlands forever.
Today, the story of the ’45 still stirs the imagination. Standing at Glenfinnan, gazing over the waters where Bonnie Prince Charlie first rallied his supporters, or walking the windswept fields of Culloden, you can almost hear the pipes and drums. These landscapes are more than just beautiful—they are the stage on which one of history’s most dramatic rebellions played out.
To truly understand this story, there is no substitute for walking the ground in the company of an expert historian. The Cultural Experience’s Fight for Scottish Independence Battlefield Tour takes you deep into the heart of the Jacobite world, visiting key sites, uncovering personal stories, and exploring the events that shaped modern Scotland.
Added: 13th August 2025
