The Jacobite Trail

04/11/2024

A long-lost letter sent from the Duke of Perth to Lord Ogilvy has finally confirmed Bonnie Prince Charlie did hold a victory ball at Palace of Holyroodhouse!

It is now known the ball took place on 23 September 1745, and more than likely was held to mark the Jacobite victory at the Battle of Prestonpans which was just two days before.

Read more here ⬇️
https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/letter-reveals-for-first-time-that-bonnie-prince-charlie-did-throw-a-victory-ball-at-holyroodhouse-4820651

📷Bonnie Prince Charlie Entering the Ballroom at Holyroodhouse by John Pettie, c.1892

28/10/2024

On this day 170 years ago (28 October 1854) Charles Edward Augustus Maximilian Stuart, Baron Korff, Count Roehenstart died from injuries sustained in a carriage accident in Dunkeld, Scotland.

Born in May 1784, Charles was the illegitimate son of Prince Ferdinand of Rohan, Archbishop of Cambrai, and Charlotte Stuart, Duchess of Albany. Charlotte was the legitimised daughter of Bonnie Prince Charlie.

His surname, Roehenstart was a combination of Rohan and Stuart to discreetly avoid scandal. A passive Jacobite claimant to the British throne, he retired as a lieutenant colonel but is often referred to as "General" with this title on his gravestone at Dunkeld. Stuart married twice, outlived both wives, and left no children or heirs.

23/10/2024

A week-long archaeological dig is currently under way at Culloden Battlefield, what will they uncover this time?

Read more about this important dig here ⬇️

In a quest to uncover secrets from the historical spot that changed the course of history 280 years ago, a week-long dig at Culloden Battlefield has…

21/10/2024

When thinking about the Jacobites and the clothing they wore, male Jacobites usually spring to mind. However women also used clothing to express their loyalty to the Stuarts.

Although the 1746 Dress Act banned civilian men in Scotland from wearing tartan, kilts, and other traditional Highland attire, the Dress Act did not apply to women. In 1746 a group of ladies in Edinburgh raised concerns among the authorities when they planned to celebrate Bonnie Price Charlie's birthday by wearing tartan dresses and white ribbons.

The elegant silk gown pictured, was reportedly worn by Margaret Oliphant of Gask, a committed Jacobite, when she was received at the Palace of Holyrood House in 1745. While the dress was likely adapted rather than specially made for the event, the embroidered white roses in its design may have gained new significance, symbolising loyalty to the exiled Stuarts.

📷National Museums Scotland

#1746

14/10/2024

On this day 391 years ago (14 October 1633), James Stuart was born. When his elder brother Charles II died in 1685 without a legitimate heir, James succeeded him, becoming James II of England and Ireland and James VII of Scotland. Read more about King James here: ⬇️

https://www.jacobitetrail.co.uk/king-james-jacobite

07/10/2024

Did you know that the symbol of the Jacobites is a small white rose, specifically the Alba Maxima? The Jacobite Rose is a highly fragrant shrub rose with grey-green foliage, found throughout Scotland.

In the years leading up to the final battle at Culloden in 1746, Jacobite supporters were forced to meet and plot in secrecy. The white rose, or "white cockade" (a flower made of ribbon often worn on a hat), became a subtle symbol to identify those loyal to the Jacobite cause. According to legend, Bonnie Prince Charlie, while traveling south to begin the '45 Rebellion, plucked a white rose from the roadside and placed it in his hat.

While interpretations vary, The Jacobite Rose is commonly believed to symbolise James Francis Edward Stuart (the Old Pretender) or, more broadly, the English throne.

04/10/2024

Lord George Murray was born on this day 330 years ago (4 October 1694).

Murray was a soldier and one of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite commanders during the ill-fated 1745 uprising.

Read more about the Battle of Falkirk Muir, where Lord George Murray led the Jacobites in an attack late in the afternoon of the 17th January 1746: ⬇️
https://www.jacobitetrail.co.uk/falkirk-muir

02/10/2024

Check out these three Jacobite wine glasses.

Two of the glasses are decorated with crowns and the symbol ‘JR’ intertwined with the figure eight referring to James VIII - the Old Pretender.

The larger two glasses are engraved with two verses of a Jacobite anthem, and the left glass has ‘To the Prosperity of the Family of Lochiell’ engraved on the base. The smallest glass has a portrait of Charles Edward Stuart, the Young Pretender painted on it, c1750.

As the Jacobites operated much like a secret society, they used various signs and symbols to discreetly show their allegiance. One such symbol appeared during the traditional after-dinner toast to the King. Jacobites would carefully hold their wine glasses over a fingerbowl of water, signifying that their toast was not for the King of this country, but for the "King over the water" in France.

Secret symbolism was also embedded in Jacobite toasts. The Scottish Gaelic toast "Slàinte Mhath!" (pronounced slanj-a-va), meaning "great health," had a Jacobite counterpart: "Slàinte Mhòr!" meaning "great health" but also doubling as "health to Marion." "Marion" (or Mòr) was a code name for Prince Charles Edward Stuart.

📷National Museums of Scotland

28/09/2024

Beautiful Killiecrankie! This tiny village is steeped in history and is the site of the legendary 1689 Battle of Killiecrankie, in which a heavily outnumbered Jacobite army defeated government forces.

Check out these stunning autumnal photos of Killiecrankie: ⬇️

Autumn has officially started, and so for the first Village of the Week of the new season, the Daily Record has chosen a quiet little spot with amazing walks and "incredible" food.

24/09/2024

On this day 302 years ago (24 September 1722) the Bishop of Rochester, Francis Atterbury was arrested.

From 1717 Atterbury, a prominent Jacobite, was in correspondence with the exiled Stuart claimant, James Edward, the Old Pretender. Five years later in 1722, Atterbury was arrested for alleged complicity in a Jacobite plot against King George I. Atterbury was later exiled for his part in the The Atterbury Plot. In exile he spent most of the rest of his life in James’s service.

20/09/2024

This weekend (Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September) is the Battle of Prestonpans re-enactment weekend! Come along and meet Bonnie Prince Charlie, his rival Johnnie Cope, there will be military drill displays, cannon fire demonstrations, and an impressive display of horsemanship and mounted skill-at-arms!

Find further information here ⬇️

ONE of the nation’s most significant battles is set to be fought again this weekend, with an action-packed programme.

19/09/2024

West Coast Railways has taken over rival operator Riviera Trains, which means they gain a fleet of coaches that are compliant with stringent new rules on door locks.

We hope that this move will help secure the future of our favourite train! 🚂

Read more here➡️

Stringent new rules on door locks prompts merger between West Coast Railways and Riviera Trains

15/09/2024

🚂 This iconic picture by Chris Gorman of The Jacobite steam train crossing the beautiful Glenfinnan viaduct has been the most successful of the photojournalist’s career. Read more about where you can view the original picture in Petersfield, UK here ➡️

A limited edition picture of the “Harry Potter train and viaduct” by a photographic wizard from Petersfield has gone on display in a town centre gallery.

12/09/2024

🪙 Legend has it that a cache of Jacobite gold, lost in the 1700s, is hidden near Loch Arkaig. In 1746, a French ship arrived near Arisaig with seven caskets containing 1.2 million livres to support Bonnie Prince Charlie's campaign. Upon learning of the Jacobites' defeat at Culloden, the caskets were dumped, with at least one stolen. The rest were intended to aid survivors and the Prince, but disappeared after reaching Loch Arkaig. Bonnie Prince Charlie later accused Ewen MacPherson of embezzlement, but efforts to recover the gold failed by 1753, leaving its fate a mystery. 🤔🪙

Read more about beautiful Loch Arkaig here ➡️ ️https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/lifestyle/hidden-gem-highland-loch-treasure-33503936

Loch Arkaig, around 17 miles north of Fort William, is said to be 'off the beaten track' and is the ideal place to find peace and tranquility

09/09/2024

Did you know there is a replica of the Hogwarts Express you can actually take a ride on (and we're not talking about the Jacobite steam train!)? 🚂

The Hogwarts Express travels in both directions between Hogsmeade Station in Universal’s Islands of Adventure to King’s Cross Station in the London area of Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida. 🇺🇸

Each journey lasts 4 minutes and the interactive windows in each carriage change depending on where your journey begins - you might well see your favourite Harry Potter characters flying their broomsticks alongside the train! 🧙‍♂️🪄🧹

09/08/2024

Find out more about Clan Fraser and one of its more infamous members, the 11th Lord Lovat, Simon Fraser who gave life to the idiom to 'laugh your head off' 🤣

Read all about Clan Fraser here ➡️https://www.highlandtitles.com/blog/clan-fraser-scotland/

Proud, loyal and reliable in battle: that's Clan Fraser. Read all about Clan Fraser, their history, tartan, crest, feuds and descendants!

06/08/2024

If you’re interested in the Jacobite clans - you’ve come to the right place. We cover the Jacobite clans and family names, as well as their role in the Battle of Culloden.

Read our informative post here ➡️https://www.jacobitetrail.co.uk/jacobite-clans

If you’re interested in the Jacobite clans - you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to cover the Jacobite clans and family names, as well as their role in the Battle of Culloden.

01/08/2024

If you're in the Perth area this month, check out these super summer events - we especially like the look of the two Jacobite events on 24 August!

Find out more here! ➡️https://foreignaffairs.co.nz/2024/07/17/mil-osi-united-kingdom-an-amazing-august-planned-as-part-of-the-super-summer-of-events-in-perth-and-kinross/