Glencoe Site of the Massacre

Scottish Battlefield Tours

Armed conflict has played a major part in the evolution of Scotland's political make up. Here are some of the key battles in Scotland's history:

  • Killiecrankie (Perthshire), a dramatic gorge where, in July 1689, the outnumbered Highlanders smashed a much larger government force.
  • Culloden (near Inverness) is the site of the last pitched battle fought in Scotland where, in 1746, the Jacobites were defeated by government forces.
  • Bannockburn (near Stirling) is the site of King Robert the Bruce's victory against Edward II's army in 1314 marking a major step in Scotland's quest for independence.
  • Glencoe (Argyll) is the site of the infamous massacre in 1692 of some 38 MacDonalds by government militia made up of Campbells, an act which reverberated around Scotland.
  • Falkirk, Stirlingshire, July 22 nd 1298. With their backs to Callendar Wood, a Scots Army under William Wallace was defeated by a superior force of perhaps 2500 horse and 12000 foot under command of Edward I of England. The English longbow proved decisive on the day.
  • Falkirk, Stirlingshire, January 17 th, 1746. The battle took place on a moor 10 miles south of Stirling. The combatants comprised an army of 5,000 Highlanders under Prince Charles (Bonnie Prince Charlie) and 7,000 government troops under Lieutenant General Henry Hawley. The battle was fought in heavy rain resulting in the government’s guns being caught in the mud. The battle was close fought but on balance the Highlanders were victors.
  • Sherriffmuir, Stirlingshire, November 13th 1715. Both sides claimed victory when a government army led by the 2 nd Duke of Argyll inflicted heavy damage on the Jacobites (supporters of the deposed King James) under the command of the 6 th Earl of Mar.
  • Bothwell Bridge, Hamilton, Lanarkshire. This battle occurred June 22 nd 1679. An army of covenanters who wished to protect the Presbyterian faith took on a government forced led by the Duke of Monmouth. The result was an easy victory for the government forces.
  • Prestonpans, S.E. of Edinburgh. This battle took place on September 21 st 1745 between the Highland army of Prince Charles (Bonnie Prince Charlie) and government forces of King George II. The result was a victory for the Highlanders who benefited from local knowledge of the land and raw recruits in the government ranks. The Royal army comprised 2,300 men and 6 guns against the Highlanders 2,500 men.

Some ideas

  • A one, possibly two day, tour from Glasgow taking in Killiecrankie and Bannockburn.
  • A leisurely three or four day tour visiting all four sites.
  • Coach tours for the Army and other special interest parties readily catered for.