BattlefieldsGovernment search for Prince Charles in the Highlands 1746
Jacobite Risings

Government search for Prince Charles in the Highlands 1746

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

Who Fought

Defeated
Jacobites (fails to restore Prince)
VS
Victor
Government (fails to capture)
Outcome
Five-month manhunt fails; Prince Charles escapes to France September 1746
The Battle

History & Significance

For five months after Culloden, government forces mounted a massive search operation for Prince Charles Edward Stuart, with a £30,000 reward on his head. Some 2,000 soldiers were deployed in the search. Charles evaded capture in the Highlands and Western Isles, sheltered by loyal Highlanders. He was disguised as a maidservant by Flora MacDonald to cross to Skye — one of the most romantic episodes in Scottish history. He hid in a cave, crossed mountains and lochs, and endured extreme hardship. Not one Highlander betrayed him for the enormous reward. He was eventually taken off by French ships from Loch nan Uamh in September 1746.

Forces Involved

Government search forces c.2,000 soldiers and sailors; loyal Highlanders protecting Charles

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Government search for Prince Charles in the Highlands 1746

Dun Grugaig,dun,Gleann Beag
Scheduled monument · Iron Age · ~4.9 miles
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