BattlefieldsJacobite patrol action at Stirling Bridge approaches 1715
Jacobite Risings

Jacobite patrol action at Stirling Bridge approaches 1715

1715
Stirlingshire, Scotland
Also known as: Forth crossing skirmishes 1715 · Argyll patrols south of Stirling 1715
Era
Jacobite Risings
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Stirlingshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Jacobite patrol
Forces
Jacobite cavalry patrols
VS
Victor
Government (Argyll)
Forces
Government dragoons (Argyll)
Outcome
Government cavalry patrols hold the Stirling approaches; Mar cannot force the Forth crossing
The Battle

History & Significance

The strategic impasse of the 1715 rising centred on the Forth crossing at Stirling. Mar had a much larger army but Argyll controlled the bridge. Government cavalry patrols ranging south and north of Stirling prevented Jacobite reconnaissance and crossing attempts. These patrol skirmishes went on for weeks before the indecisive Battle of Sheriffmuir. Argyll's tactical skill with limited forces — he had perhaps 4,000 against Mar's 12,000 — was the government's saving grace in 1715.

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