BattlefieldsPrince Charles's escape — Loch nan Uamh 1746
Jacobite Risings

Prince Charles's escape — Loch nan Uamh 1746

1746
Inverness-shire, Scotland
Also known as: Prince Charles escapes Scotland 1746 · Flight of the Young Pretender
Era
Jacobite Risings
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Inverness-shire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Government (pursuit fails)
Forces
Government pursuit force c. 200–400.
VS
Victor
Jacobites (escape)
Forces
Jacobites c. 100–200
Outcome
Prince Charles Edward Stuart escapes to France; the '45 ends
The Battle

History & Significance

After five months as a fugitive in the Highlands and Western Isles — with a £30,000 government price on his head — Prince Charles Edward Stuart was taken off from Loch nan Uamh on the French privateer L'Heureux on 19 September 1746. During his flight he crossed to Skye disguised as "Betty Burke," the Irish maidservant of Flora MacDonald — one of the most romantic episodes of the rising. Flora MacDonald was subsequently arrested. Charles never returned to Britain. The famous Skye Boat Song ("Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing") commemorates the crossing to Skye.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Prince Charles's escape — Loch nan Uamh 1746

Loch na Eala,crannog
Scheduled monument · Iron Age–Medieval · ~4.1 miles
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