Alan’s Jacobite adventures

13/10/2021

An interesting character who emerged from the battle of Prestonpans was John Rattray who was a surgeon in Edinburgh in 1745 and was one of a handful of physicians who answered the Prince’s plea for the assistance of the wounded at the field of battle.
As a result, he became the Surgeon General for the Jacobite army and subsequently the Prince’s personal physician. He remained with the Jacobite army throughout the March to England and was was finally captured after the battle of Culloden.
Rattray was an accomplished archer and golfer and he in fact was one of the signatories to the first ever set of golf rules.
As a result of his golf, he was released from captivity, having had one of his golfing partner’s- Duncan Forbes of Culloden make a successful plea in writing to the Duke of Cumberland for his release.

04/10/2021

On the night after the battle of Prestonpans the Prince stayed at Pinkie House (in Musselburgh ) This is now part of Loretta Public School.

03/10/2021

After the Government force was defeated- the Cameron’s were sent to retrieve Cope’s baggage, which had been left at Cockenzie House(north of the battlefield) and which was heavily defended by Highlanders fighting in the Hanoverian side. They were, however, persuaded to surrender without bloodshed, and the personal effects of Cope, armaments and most importantly a large amount of money were retrieved for the Prince’s use.(This money was supposedly hidden in barrels in the cellar of the house)
It is suspected that Cope did not trust the Highland Government troops and therefore left them to guard the baggage.
The real Allan Breck Stewart (of “Kidnapped” fame ) would I suspect have been with those government troops and he and others, after the battle joined with the Jacobite army.

02/10/2021

A walk around the area of the battle today. At this time, the battle was over and the dead and wounded would have been still prevalent on the field. Cope and 400 of his soldiers were en route to Berwick with the rest of his army - captured, wounded or killed. Most of the deaths occurred at the walls of Preston House, where the army bottlenecked to get through and were caught up with by the Highland army probably Stewart’s and Macgregors .

01/10/2021

So this is the actual eve of the Battle of Prestonpans or Gladsmuir. ( at the time of the battle, Scotland and Great Britain were using the Julian Calender as compared to the Gregorian calender used today )
So at this time, the two armies would have settled down to rest - in the dark for the night.
The Jacobite were to be awoken at 3am for their night March .
The initial action , with the Cameron’s opening fire on the Hanoverian forces from Tranent Kirk yard had already taken place and the first casualties were sustained on both sides.

21/09/2021

About 3 in the morning of the 21st September, Lord George Murray was informed that there was a path which by passed the boggy ground to the south of the Government forces which would lead his clan army to Cope’s unguarded eastern side. A decision was taken and as a result the Jacobite army was led 3 abreast , by local man Robert Anderson to the west of Seton, where they were finally spotted by the pickets of the Hanoverian army.
The Jacobites quickly set out their troops in battle order and attacked just after dawn - about 5am.
Cope, immediately turned his army when informed of the Jacobite presence and they were in good formation, and ready to receive the Highland Charge.
The battle however lasted a mere 15 - 30minutes.
In the face of the furious Highland charge, a number of dragoon’s, the artillery and some infantry turned and fled the field in the face of the on rushing Highlanders - as did Cope, and his senior officers. He, of course famously took the news of his own defeat to Berwick.
As a result of the battle up to 120 jacobites were killed or wounded and up to 500 Hanoverian troops were killed or wounded with approx 500- 600 captured.
After the battle, the wounded and captured were treated well by the Prince’s forces ( stating they are all my father’s subjects)and a number of them joined the Jacobite army- most noteworthy of whom was Allan Breck Stewart of Kidnapped fame.
Scotland was now - apart from Edinburgh and Stirling Castles in the hands of the Jacobites and Prince Charlie.

20/09/2021

On 20th September the Jacobite force left Duddingston and probably marched through Musselburgh and Wallyford, from where they approached the government army , which had lined up in battle order, awaiting their arrival. They positioned themselves in a strong position between Preston House and Colonel Gardiners House south of Prestonpans and were basically attempting to block the Jacobites from making their way east.
The Jacobite army, presumably having scouted the terrain made their way uphill to the south of the government forces and moved east along the ridge to the west of Tranent church.
The government army as a result re positioned to face south towards them- again in a strong position with boggy ground between the armies. The advance party of Cameron’s took up position in Tranent church yard, where they opened fire on a Hanoverian scout who was in the fields below them- they were, as a result replied to in kind by artillery from Cope’s army which injured and forced the Clansmen to move.
Cope’s men lit fires for the night and posted up to 200 pickets to keep guard around the army . The Jacobite army also made camp, in the area of south Tranent.

19/09/2021

On 18th September the Jacobite army moved to Duddingston, and on 19th the Prince joined them. A council of war was held within this house in Duddingston.

17/09/2021

Once Prince Charlie heard of the Camerons’ success in entering the city- he immediately got up (after2 hours sleep)and made his way to the city with the army.
He paraded in style that same day on the 17th September and made a resplendent entrance into Edinburgh and Holyrood Palace.

17/09/2021

Having been sent back to Edinburgh from Slateford by the Prince at 3 in the morning, the Bailies returned to Edinburgh by carriage. They were followed by 900 highlanders Of clan Cameron - who, when the Nether Port was opened to allow the carriage entrance , stormed the gate and entered the city, claiming it for the Prince. All this happened after dawn in daylight.

16/09/2021

Gray’s Mill, where Bonnie Prince Charlie spent the night of the 16th September- was demolished in the 1960’s and is now where Sainsbury’s in located.

16/09/2021

Millie and I then followed the route that the Jacobite army probably took to approach Edinburgh.
Winchburgh, Niddry Road, Peniel Road, down Glasgow Road to Corstorphine, Ladyswell Road Carricknowe, Saughton Road , Longstone Road onto Inglis Green Road- where the army camped in fields near to Gray’s Mill in Slatefield, where the Prince made his base for the night.
Well done Millie for navigating the route👍

16/09/2021

So having left Linlithgow Palace on the 15th September the Highland army set up camp for the night at Kincavil a few miles to the east of Linlithgow.

15/09/2021

On 15th September - the Prince triumphantly entered Linlithgow and was greeted by a large supportive crowd- a lot of whom had been given wine by the Palace housekeeper Mrs Gordon. The fountain within the palace was also set to flow with red wine, as it had done to celebrate the marriage of James v and Mary of Guise and even to mark the union of the crowns in 1603.
Linlithgow Palace was the real image of Stuart power and Bonnie Prince Charlie was the most recent incumbent of Stuart power.
This short clip shows the approach to the Palace from the town. I would say very little had changed since 1745 - the buildings in the approach are from the era and the entrance gateway is unchanged.

15/09/2021

So on the evening of 14th September 1745 - Bonnie Prince Charlie, having called at Bannockburn House visited the Earl of Kilmarnock at Callendar House, Falkirk.
Having been dined and wined, he then stayed and received information from the Earl of Kilmarnock who informed him about the strength and whereabouts of Government troops in Edinburgh.
I’m surmising that due to the lateness of the hour and possibly the hospitality afforded the Prince, that he would have stayed the night at Callendar House..?
So therefore having visited today -15th September I think the Prince would have still, possibly, been in residence before heading off towards Linlithgow and ultimately Edinburgh.

14/09/2021

On 14th September, Bonnie Prince Charlie arrived at Bannockburn House, where he was entertained by Hugh Paterson- baronet/owner.
It was Paterson’s niece Clementina Walkinshaw who was to be romantically involved with Charlie and would be a mother to his only child.
There was a fine drizzle when I attended today, wouldn’t be surprised that it would have been similar all that years ago.
The house is magnificent, and is now community owned. It is being renovated with the intention of being brought back to its former glory when funding permits.
Real, living history, and breathtaking to stand in the footsteps of the Prince- as it was when he was in residence.

14/09/2021

At “one hour, after noon” on 19th August 1745 Prince Charles Edward Stuart raised his royal standard at Glenfinnan, where he was eventually joined by men of clan Cameron, Macdonald and a faction of Macleod’s who had attended despite their chiefs advice.
The Jacobite army of 1745 was born.

14/09/2021