Battlefield Walks - Scottish Battles of the Jacobite Rebellions.


Broadsword and Musket are pleased to be able to offer the following guided walks:

Our walks adher to strict social distancing guidance issued by the Scottish Government.

We are able to offer walks of four famous and well preserved battlefields:

  • Falkirk
  • Sheriffmuir
  • Dunkeld
  • Killiecrankie

Stacks Image 108

What does a walk look like. An example programme for a half day walk would consist of:

09.30am. Meeting at an agreed rendezvous. Ideally we can sit inside to discuss discuss the historical background and context of the battlefield.

Transit to Battlefield site.

10.30am - 1.30pm. Battlefield Walk.

We are flexible about timings and will always try to accommodate your requirements.

Walking Tours

Battle of Killiecrankie 27 July 1689: While other Jacobite battles may be better known, than this, the earliest major Jacobite battlefield, its story is one of the most dramatic. It has it all stunning scenery, remarkable characters, ferocious soldiers and tragic and comic moments. A heavily out numbered Highland Army led by a Lowland Commander charged down a steep hillside and swept away a Government Army led by a Highlander that had been sent to defeat them. In victory lay the seeds of future Jacobite defeat though the loss of their Commander "Bonnie Dundee" and nearly a third of his best men. Today it is still possible to trace in detail on the ground the course of events on the 27 July 1689.

Soldiers leap
Killiecrankie battlefield

Battle of Dunkeld 21 August 1689. Three weeks after Killiecrankie a unique Government Regiment inflicted a decisive defeat on the previously victorious Jacobite Army. The government forces fighting behind barriers that nullified the effect of the Highland charge fought off a force superior in numbers. It is also represents a rare case of fighting inside a town. The outcome changes the course of the rebellion. This battle involves remarkable characters, moments of high drama and a stunning location. Today it is still possible to walk through the beautiful, historic town of Dunkeld and re-live the key actions of the 21 August 1689.

We offer a full day tour that includes both battlefields or a half day tour to either Killiecrankie and Dunkeld. Both are easily accessible by vehicle and on foot.

Dunkeld
Dunkeld church

Battle of Sheriffmuir 13 November 1715: The Battle of Sheriffmuir, or of Dunblane, as it was said to be called at the time, was fought on 13 November 1715 between the Jacobites who were in rebellion and a Scottish Government Army. Like so much undertaken in the name of the House of Stuart, the rising against King George I, the first monarch of the Great Britain's Hanoverian dynasty ended in disarray. The Jacobites had a well conceived plan, their cause was more popular than at any time before or later, their soldiers caused fear among the opponents and they initially held the initiative. So what went wrong? The answers lie in the conduct of the Battle of Sheriffmuir. Join us and step back through time to revisit the actions of the 13 November 1715. Learn about the commanders, the soldiers, the weapons and tactics and consider the decision making. Would you have done things differently?

We offer a full or half day tour. We can tailor your tour to include, if requested, visits to Dunblane Museum, the Allied Armies 1944 mock Atlantic Wall, Doune Castle or Ardoch Roman Fort.

Meeting stone at Sheriffmuim
View of Sheriffmuir from the south

Battle of Falkirk 17 January 1746: Following the failed invasion of England the Jacobite Army withdrew to Scotland pursued by the British Government forces. At Falkirk Muir on the 17 January 1746 the Jacobite Army turned on their pursuers and delivered another unexpected victory. It was to be biggest battle of Prince Charlie's rising with around 18,000 combatants fighting it out in the middle of a winter storm and failing light. It was a battle involving equal measures of heroism, stupidity and tragedy. Above all, as with so many Jacobite battles, it was to prove another tale of missed opportunities. Close to Edinburgh. A fun half-day tour. We offer our guests a half-day battlefield tour with the opportunity to make it a full day by additional visits to local museums, historic sites and towns.

Additional tailor made tours.

Battle of Glenshiel 10 June 1719: Little known and out of the way, this Jacobite battlefield is small and remarkably well preserved. An international engagement between the Jacobites and their Spanish Allies and the Government Army and their Dutch Allies. A battle that underlined the importance of seapower and land-based firepower. A truly stunning location that makes the journey to reach it more than worthwhile. A tremendous day out.

We offer our guests a tailor-made day-long tour that can also include local museums, historic sites and some of Scotland's finest scenery.

©2024 Broadsword and Musket Contact Us