The Call to Arms

Track 4. Standard at Glenfinnan (1.13  of 4.33)

The raising of the Royal Standard at Glenfinnan by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745 marked the beginning of the last Jacobite Rising. This pivotal event ignited a new phase in the ongoing struggle for the British throne, drawing Highland clans and Lowland sympathizers to his cause. It was a moment of hope and defiance against the Hanoverian government, reflecting centuries of interwoven political and cultural strife.

  • Bonnie Prince Charlie: Charles Edward Stuart, claimant to the British throne, who led the 1745 Jacobite Rising.
  • Glenfinnan: The symbolic location where the Jacobite standard was raised, gathering support for the Prince.
  • 1745 Rising: The final attempt by the Stuart dynasty to reclaim the British throne, culminating in the Battle of Culloden.
  • Highland Support: Many Highland clans rallied to the Prince's banner, driven by loyalty, tradition, and discontent with the Union.

Standard at Glenfinnan

Bonnie Prince Charlie Arrives

On August 19, 1745, at the head of Loch Shiel in Glenfinnan, Bonnie Prince Charlie dramatically raised his personal standard, signaling the start of the final Jacobite attempt to restore the Stuart monarchy. Arriving with only a handful of companions, his presence quickly galvanized support among the Highland clans, marking a defiant challenge to the established Hanoverian rule.

This momentous gathering at Glenfinnan, a remote and symbolic location, saw hundreds of Highlanders flock to the Prince's cause, swayed by his charismatic appeal and promises of a restored Stuart reign. The event was not merely a military assembly but a powerful symbolic act, invoking centuries of Scottish loyalty to the Stuart line and challenging the Act of Union. The "Standard at Glenfinnan" ignited a campaign that would sweep through Scotland and into England, becoming a defining chapter in British history and leaving an indelible mark on Scottish national identity, despite its eventual tragic conclusion at Culloden.

Further Reading:

National Trust for Scotland: Glenfinnan Monument https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/glenfinnan-monument

Historical Reflections on the 1745 Jacobite Rising

​1. The Landing and the Route South (July – November 1745)

  • ​The Landing (July 23, 1745): Prince Charles Edward Stuart arrived off the west coast of Scotland aboard the frigate Du Teillay, stepping ashore on the small Hebridean island of Eriskay, before moving to the mainland at Loch nan Uamh.
  • ​Raising the Standard (August 19, 1745): He marched to Glenfinnan, where he formally raised his royal standard, calling upon the Highland clans to rally to the Stuart cause to reclaim the British throne.
  • ​Capturing Edinburgh (September 1745): Gathering momentum and an expanding army of clansmen, the Jacobites bypassed government forces and marched south, capturing Edinburgh with virtually no resistance.
  • ​The Invasion of England (November – December 1745): Hoping for English Jacobite recruits and French support, the army crossed the border into England. They captured Carlisle and marched as far south as Derby by December 4. However, sensing a lack of English support and fearing entrapment by converging government armies, the senior commanders forced a reluctant Prince Charlie to turn back.

​2. Battles Fought Before Culloden

​During the advance, the retreat, and the subsequent northern campaign, the Jacobites fought two major engagements against British government (Hanoverian) forces:

​A. The Battle of Prestonpans (September 21, 1745)

  • ​What Happened: Shortly after taking Edinburgh, the Jacobites encountered a government army commanded by Sir John Cope at Prestonpans, just east of the city.
  • ​The Outcome: Guided by local knowledge, Lord George Murray led the Jacobite clans through a marshy bog in the pre-dawn mist to launch a surprise Highland charge. The battle lasted less than ten minutes; Cope's redcoat army was completely routed, sending panic through London and giving the Prince an enormous psychological and material boost.

​B. The Battle of Falkirk Muir (January 17, 1746)

  • ​What Happened: After retreating from Derby back up into Scotland, the Jacobite army laid siege to Stirling Castle. A government force under General Henry Hawley pursued them, leading to a clash on the stormy moorland of Falkirk.
  • ​The Outcome: Despite miserable weather and initial confusion, another fierce Highland charge shattered the government cavalry and infantry. This would stand as the final major victory for Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army, though strategic errors and delays prevented them from fully destroying Hawley's forces.

​3. The Retreat North (February – April 1746)

​Following Falkirk, the government unleashed a much more formidable commander: Prince William, the Duke of Cumberland (son of King George II).

​With Cumberland's professional army advancing relentlessly north, and running desperately short of food, money, and supplies, the Jacobites abandoned the siege of Stirling and retreated deep into the Scottish Highlands toward Inverness. By early April 1746, exhausted, starving, and outmatched, the Jacobite army took up positions on the flat, boggy terrain of Culloden Moor—ground that heavily favored Cumberland’s cavalry and artillery.