BattlefieldsAtholl Raid 1746
Jacobite Risings

Atholl Raid 1746

1746
Perthshire, Scotland
Also known as: Lord George Murray Atholl raid February 1746 · Raid on Atholl February 1746
Era
Jacobite Risings
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Perthshire, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Government (Hessians and garrison detachments in Atholl)
Forces
Government garrison detachments scattered across Atholl
VS
Victor
Jacobites (Lord George Murray)
Forces
Lord George Murray: c.700 Atholl men
Outcome
Jacobite raid captures 30 government posts in Atholl in one night; remarkable partisan operation
The Battle

History & Significance

On the night of 9-10 February 1746, Lord George Murray led perhaps the most brilliant small operation of the entire '45. He took 700 Atholl men and in a single coordinated night raid captured 30 government posts scattered across Atholl, taking several hundred prisoners and quantities of weapons and supplies. The operation was planned with military precision, each party moving simultaneously to prevent alarm from one post reaching another. It was a masterclass in Highland partisan warfare and demonstrated what Lord George Murray could achieve when given operational freedom. The raid did not change the strategic outcome but was a remarkable tactical success.

Casualties & Losses

Government: c.300 prisoners; few casualties on either side

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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