Battle of Killiecrankie
Who Fought
History & Significance
The Battle of Killiecrankie, took place on 27 July 1689 during the 1689 Scottish Jacobite rising. A Jacobite force led by Ewan Cameron of Lochiel and Viscount Dundee defeated a government army commanded by Hugh Mackay.
James VII went into exile in December 1688 after being deposed by the Glorious Revolution in Scotland. In March 1689, he began the Williamite War in Ireland, with a simultaneous revolt led by Dundee, previously his military commander in Scotland.
Despite being outnumbered and short of supplies, the Jacobite commanders hoped a decisive victory would bring them wider support. Although this was achieved, their army suffered heavy casualties, and Dundee was killed in the final moments. As a result, the Jacobites were unable to capitalise on their success.
Despite his personal Catholicism, in February 1685 James II & VII succeeded his brother Charles II with widespread support from the Protestant majorities in both England and Scotland. Memories of the 1638-to-1651 Wars of the Three Kingdoms meant many feared the consequences of bypassing the 'natural heir', and refused to support either the Monmouth Rebellion or Argyll's Rising in June 1685.
By 1680, over 95% of Scots belonged to the Church of Scotland, or "kirk". Catholics numbered less than 2% of the population and even other Protestant sects were barred. The 1681 Scottish Test Act required holders of public office to be members of the kirk; James' attempts to repeal it undermined his own supporters, while rewarding the dissident Presbyterians who backed Argyll.
In June 1688, two events turned dissent into a crisis, the first being the birth of Prince James Francis Edward on 10 June. This created the prospect of a Catholic dynasty, rather than James being succeeded by his Protestant daughter Mary, and her husband William of Orange. The second was the prosecution of the Seven Bishops, which seemed to extend official policy beyond mere tolerance for Catholicism to an assault on the established church. Their acquittal on 30 June destroyed James' political authority in both Scotland and England.
In 1685, many feared a return to civil war if James were bypassed; by 1688, anti-Catholic riots made it seem only his removal could prevent one. William landed in Brixham on 5 November with 14,000 men; as he advanced, James' army deserted, and he went into exile on 23 December. The Parliament of England offered the English throne to William and Mary in February 1689.
On 14 March, a Convention met in Edinburgh to agree a settlement for Scotland. The convention was dominated by supporters of the new administration, with 'Jacobites' restricted to those linked to James by religion or personal ties. However, the number of activists on either side was tiny, the vast majority being unenthusiastic about either option. On 12 March, James landed in Ireland, and the Convention offered the Scottish throne to William and Mary on 11 April. On the following day, Dundee raised the Royal Standard on Dundee Law.
The ground they fought on
The site of Battle of Killiecrankie lies on Argyll Group, bedrock that formed in the Neoproterozoic. The rock here is psammite, semipelite and pelite.
- Scottish Government: 1,700–2,000 killed, wounded and missing
- Scottish Jacobites: 700 killed and wounded
This battlefield is listed on the Register of Historic Battlefields — a national designation identifying Britain's most significant battle sites for protection and further research. Reference: HES BTL12.
Frequently Asked Questions
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- Battle of Killiecrankie · Wikidata
- Battle_of_Killiecrankie · Wikipedia
- UKFOC 332 · Battlefields Trust (UK Fields of Conflict)
- Battle of Killiecrankie · Historic Environment Scotland
- Battle of Killiecrankie · Canmore
- Battle of Killiecrankie · Canmore
- Battle of Killiecrankie · Battlefields Trust