Battle of Sheriffmuir

Battle of Sheriffmuir

Sheriffmuir Battle Site

Introduction

This evening I am reporting on Sheriffmuir battle site, close to Stirling in central Scotland.

Information on the Battle of Sheriffmuir

This battle was fought on Nov 13th 1715 in weather and terrain conditions likely similar to those prevailing today. ‘Muir’ is a Scots dialect word equivalent to the English ‘moor’ and means a large area of rough, open ground. The surface of this type of terrain is invariably wet or waterlogged.

The battle should be viewed in context of intermittent Jacobite uprisings in support of the Stuart dynasty. Jacobite supporters were intent on regaining the thrones of Scotland and England from the incumbent Hanoverians.

Gathering Stone, Sherriffmuir Battle Site

Sherriffmuir Battlefield, Scotland

View of battlefield

Key aspects of this battle as follows:

  • The Jacobite army under the Earl of Mar numbered 10,000 men.
  • Government forces under the Duke of Argyll totalled 3500 men.
  • The Sheriffmuir site was chosen by Earl of Mar.
  • The Gathering Stone (see image above) was a vantage point used by both sides during the battle. This is probably, a now recumbent, prehistoric standing stone from around 3000-1000 BC. 
  • Despite the vast disparity in numbers the battle was finely balanced. The government forces were successful on the right whilst the Jacobites prevailed on the left.
  • At the end of the day both sides regrouped. The next day the Jacobites had retreated leaving the Government ostensibly in charge of the field. The outcome is viewed by many as a draw. However, the Jacobites had superior numbers and should have prevailed but failed to do so.

Double Rainbow at Sherriffmuir Battlefield

This video clip shows a memorial erected 1915 to the members of Clan MacRae in the Kintail and Lochalsh Company. This group fought on the left wing for the Jacobites and died at the battle.

This is an interesting site to inspect for which visitors are advised to take waterproof footwear.

More information

The publication Visitors’ Guide to Scotland has a section on various battles. ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle.

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