The Battle of Culloden: The Last Stand of the Jacobite Rising
The Battle of Culloden, a defining moment in Scottish history, marked the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745. On 16th April 1746, the forces of Charles Edward Stuart, commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, faced a decisive defeat at the hands of the British government army led by Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland.
This pivotal clash occurred on the windswept moor of Drummossie, near Inverness, in the Scottish Highlands, and it would go down in history as the last pitched battle fought on British soil.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what happened that day. If you’d like to learn more about the Jacobites, who they were, what they stood for and all the battles they were in - check out this page here.
The Jacobite Rising of 1745
The 1745 Jacobite Rising, also known as “The Forty-Five,” was the most famous and ambitious of all the Jacobite rebellions. Led by Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie), the grandson of James VII & II, this uprising was the last and most determined attempt to restore the House of Stuart to the throne of Britain. It was also the rebellion that would ultimately seal the fate of the Jacobite cause forever.
By 1745, the political landscape had changed. The Hanoverian monarchy, led by King George II, was firmly established, and previous Jacobite uprisings had ended in failure. However, Charles Edward Stuart remained convinced that he could reclaim the throne for his father, James Francis Edward Stuart (the Old Pretender). With limited French support, he sailed to Scotland, landing on the west coast at Eriskay in July 1745. Despite lacking an army, he managed to rally Highland clans to his cause, appealing to their loyalty to the Stuarts and resentment of British rule.
The Jacobites quickly gained momentum. They won a stunning first victory at the Battle of Prestonpans (September 1745), where their Highland charge routed government forces in a matter of minutes. Encouraged by this success, Charles boldly led his army south into England, advancing as far as Derby, just 125 miles from London. However, without the expected French reinforcements and failing to gain significant English support, the Jacobite leadership hesitated. Concerned about being cut off, they decided to retreat back to Scotland in December 1745.
Despite another victory at the Battle of Falkirk Muir (January 1746), the Jacobites were losing momentum. The British government responded with overwhelming force, sending the Duke of Cumberland north to crush the rebellion.
The final confrontation came at the Battle of Culloden (April 16, 1746), on a windswept moor near Inverness. The Jacobite army, exhausted and outnumbered, was brutally defeated in less than an hour. The government forces showed no mercy—wounded Jacobites were executed, prisoners were hunted down, and Charles fled for his life.
The aftermath of Culloden (gravestone there pictured) was devastating. The British government launched a harsh crackdown, banning Highland dress, bagpipes, and the Gaelic language, while dismantling the clan system that had supported the Jacobites for so long. Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped to France, spending the rest of his life in exile, never returning to Scotland.
The 1745 Rising was the last Jacobite attempt to restore the Stuarts and marked the end of an era. Though it failed, it left a lasting cultural legacy, inspiring countless songs, poems, and stories, and forever shaping Scotland’s history.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The Battle of Culloden (April 16, 1746) was more than just the final military defeat of the Jacobites—it marked the beginning of a brutal crackdown on the Scottish Highlands and the effective end of the Jacobite cause.
The British government, determined to crush any future uprisings, implemented harsh policies that dismantled Highland culture, clan society, and the power structures that had long supported the Stuarts.
The Highland Clearances and Government Suppression
In the aftermath of Culloden, the Duke of Cumberland, often referred to as "Butcher Cumberland," led a brutal campaign to eliminate any remaining Jacobite resistance. Government troops systematically hunted down survivors, executing prisoners, burning villages, and seising livestock. Anyone suspected of supporting the Jacobites faced imprisonment, deportation, or execution, with many sent to the American colonies as forced labourers.
This period also saw the beginning of what would later become known as the Highland Clearances. Over the coming decades, many Highlanders—already weakened by war and oppression—were forcibly evicted from their ancestral lands (pictured is BadBae Highland Clearance Croft) to make way for large-scale sheep farming. This devastated Highland communities, forcing many Scots to emigrate to North America, Australia, and beyond in search of a better life.
The Banning of Highland Dress, Tartan, and Weapons
To further weaken Highland identity and prevent future uprisings, the Disarming Act (1746) and the Act of Proscription (1747) were introduced. These laws:
Banned the wearing of tartan, kilts, and traditional Highland dress, which had been a symbol of clan identity.
Prohibited the carrying of weapons, including broadswords and firearms.
Outlawed bagpipes, which were seen as instruments of war.
Any Highlander found violating these laws faced severe punishment, including imprisonment or deportation. The once-proud warrior culture of the Highlands was systematically dismantled, and the clans, which had long functioned as independent power structures, were brought under government control.
The Dismantling of Clan Power and Gaelic Culture
The clan system, which had been the backbone of Highland society, was deliberately weakened. Clan chiefs lost their hereditary power and legal authority over their people, effectively turning them into landlords rather than leaders. Many chiefs, forced to choose between survival and tradition, abandoned their clans in favour of adopting English customs and economic practices.
As English became the dominant language of administration and education, Gaelic culture was further eroded. The Gaelic language was discouraged, and Highland customs, once central to Scottish identity, began to fade.
Charles Edward Stuart’s Escape and Exile – The End of Jacobite Aspirations
In the immediate aftermath of Culloden, Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) became a fugitive, spending five months evading government forces in the Highlands. He was sheltered by loyal Jacobites, including the famous Flora MacDonald, who helped him escape to the Isle of Skye disguised as a maid.
In September 1746, Charles finally escaped to France, where he spent the rest of his life in exile. He made several failed attempts to gain European support for another Jacobite uprising, but the movement had lost momentum. Over time, his influence faded, and he descended into alcoholism and despair, dying in 1788 in Rome—never setting foot in Scotland again.
With Charles’s exile, the Jacobite cause effectively died, and the dream of restoring the House of Stuart was over. The British monarchy under the House of Hanover was now firmly secured, and Scotland was forever changed.
Legacy of the Jacobite Rebellions
Though the Jacobite cause ended in failure, its legacy endures. Romanticised stories, songs, and literature have kept the memory of the Jacobites alive, painting them as tragic heroes fighting for a lost cause. Today, places like Culloden Battlefield, the Glenfinnan Monument, and Eilean Donan Castle attract thousands of visitors who wish to learn about this turbulent chapter in Scottish history.
The defeat at Culloden was not just the end of a rebellion—it was the end of an era for Scotland.
Key Jacobite Sites to Visit in Scotland
For those looking to explore Jacobite history firsthand, Scotland offers a wealth of sites that played significant roles in the uprisings:
Culloden Battlefield (pictured) – The site of the final, devastating defeat of the Jacobites in 1746. The battlefield and visitor centre provide a moving and immersive experience, allowing visitors to walk the very ground where the rebellion ended.
Visit Culloden on an Orkney Tour.Glenfinnan Viaduct and Monument – The Glenfinnan Monument marks the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the Jacobite standard in 1745, signaling the start of the '45 Rising. The nearby Glenfinnan Viaduct (famous from the Harry Potter films) offers a stunning backdrop to this historically significant site.
Visit Glenfinnan on an Isle of Skye Tour.
Eilean Donan Castle – A Jacobite stronghold, this iconic castle was destroyed by government forces after the failed 1719 Rising, but has since been rebuilt and remains one of Scotland’s most picturesque landmarks.
Visit Eilean Donan Castle on an Isle of Skye Tour.Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace – Once a base for the Jacobites, this historic royal residence housed Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745 during his brief occupation of Edinburgh.
The Isle of Skye (Flora MacDonald’s Grave) – The final escape route of Bonnie Prince Charlie, Skye remains deeply tied to Jacobite legend. Flora MacDonald, who famously helped the prince evade capture, is buried here. See more about the Isle of Skye.
