Introduction
The Battle of Glenshiel took place on the afternoon of June 10th 1719. The site is a spot roughly equidistant between lochs Duich and Cluanie in the Western Highlands of Scotland. Location is about sixty miles N.W. of Fort William.
Political background
Apart from gaps during the English civil war, for most of the 17th century Scottish (Stuart dynasty) kings held the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland. Technically, Scotland was independent with its own parliament but in practice was ruled by the King from London.
By 1685 it was becoming apparent that King James VII (Scotland)/King James II (England) was increasingly demonstrating Roman Catholic leanings including the divine right of kings to rule. This was at a time when both England and Scotland had renounced catholicism in favour of variants of the protestant religion.
Tensions began to build resulting in establishment figures extending an invitation to William III, Prince of Orange in the Netherlands to invade England and assumes the thrones. Both William and his wife Mary were protestants.
The Williamite invasion was uncontested and James went into exile. This event (1688-9) is known as the ‘Glorious Revolution’.
Although the exiled James was in France he plotted a return to power in Britain. This cause resulted in numerous ‘Jacobite’ uprisings between 1689 and 1746. (‘Jacobus’ is the Latin term for James.). The Battle of Glenshiel was one of such conflicts.
Events preceding the battle
In 1715 Spain, a Catholic country, lost a war with Britain. In that year the Spanish king appointed Cardinal Alberoni as his Prime Minister. During 1718 Alberoni embarked on a plot to destabilise the British by way of support for a new Stuart (Jacobite) rebellion.
At this time the exiled Stuarts were extremely short of funds and had been exiled from France to Italy. Thus, a generous offer of support from Spain comprising men, materiel and cash was a welcome boost for their cause.
The plan envisaged a main invasion of S.W. England in tandem with a diversionary force, comprising two frigates, to raise the clans in Scotland. However, the main invasion force was scattered in a 12 day storm leading to cancellation of the planned invasion.
Notwithstanding the fate of the main invasion force, the small force assigned to Scotland arrived at Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides on April 4th 1719 where they were apprised of the fate of the main force.
Advance on Scotland
A Council of War was held by the Jacobites. This resulted in bitter in-fighting between the two principal commanders, Tullibardine and Earl Marischal.Outome was Marischal sent away the fleet of support ships empty and thus preventing an evacuation of the Jacobite army. Strategy agreed was to land on the mainland, raise the clans and take Inverness.
On April 13th the ships crossed to Lochalsh on the mainland and used Eilean Donan Castle as a stronghold. A second base was established at the head of Loch Duich. Few local clansman rallied to the cause.
The British government was aware of the Jacobites plans and sent a squadron of five vessels which reached Loch Duich on May 10th. This force bombarded the castle with 60 cannon and forced the surrender of the garrison. The British then blew up the castle. Subsequently, the Jacobites detonated their remaining ammunition store on approach of a British frigate.
As the Jacobites moved east a government force under General Wightman was marching towards them via Glen Moriston. This army was supported by heavy weapons in the form of six mortars. The Government forces may have totalled about 1250 men whilst the Jacobite army may have comprised about 1500 men including a force of Spaniards.
The Battle of Glenshiel
The two armies lined up against each other on a rugged hillside.The Jacobite forces were deployed with Lord George Murray on the right and Seaforth on the left with Spaniards and Rob Roy’s forces in between.
Video clip of battle site.
Assisted by the mortars, the government forces progressively pushed the Jacobites back in a move culminating in victory. It is believed that casualties were light (about 20 fatalities on each side). The Spaniards surrendered whilst the Highlanders melted away, including the leadership all of whom escaped back to Europe. This action ended the uprising, although another was to follow in 1745.
Visiting the battle site
The site is accessed from the A87 highway between Invershiel and Cluanie Inn. There is signage and limited parking facilities although the actual site remains as rough hillside.
More information
For more information on Scottish battles, Scottish history and touring please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4
Acknowledgement: Some of the information in this article was sourced from Scotland Magazine.