On 27 July 1689 a Jacobite force led by Ewan Cameron of Lochiel and John Grahame Viscount Dundee defeated a government army commanded by Hugh Mackay.

James VII, King of Scots had fled into exile in 1688. This was a time when England and Scotland shared the same monarch. James was II of England. His brother, Charles II, had died in 1685. James was the next in line for the throne of both Kingdoms, however, he was a Catholic.

In 1688, James’ son was born, James Francis Charles Stewart, to become known later as Bonnie Prince Charlie, and that’s a whole story in itself. But always there is a beginning.

James VII and II, was deposed and in his place a Protestant, his daughter, Mary and her husband William III, Prince of Orange was installed. The repercussions of that action has had violent repercussions in both the 20th century and into today.

History has consequences.

To the battle, the National Trust for Scotland which maintains the fantastic woodland at Killiecrankie refers to as ‘one of the goriest battles in Scottish history’. There’s a lot to choose from.

The Jacobites were led by John Grahame, Bonnie Dundee, cousin to the Marquis Of Montrose, James Grahame, who had been betrayed and executed on 21 May 1650. You can read more about that here:

Of Cromwell, Cavaliers and Covenanters: Orkney Under Occupation

Back at Killicrankie, Mackay leading the opposing forces took his men into the narrow steep pass where they could not move easily. Dundee’s men were on the high ground. Dundee waited until the evening before he attacked and ensured that all his men were in position.

The Battle was a victory for Dundee and his forces. It is thought that up to 2000 men were killed, wounded or listed as missing from Mackay’s forces. Dundee and the Jacobites had 700 killed and wounded. One of those was John Grahame fatally wounded and who died shortly after. Although the Jacobites had won the Battle, they lost this war. Their cause, however, was not dead and was reignited in both 1715, and 1745.

Today, Killicrankie is a beautiful place to visit. Click on this link to find out more: Killicrankie.

Fiona Grahame

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