Ancient Forth Defences 15 – Jacobite Rebellions 1689 – 1745

 
James fled overseas, leaving a band of “Jacobite” supporters in Scotland. There was an immediate uprising in 1689, which petered out after the Battle of Killiecrankie, but further Jacobite Rebellions followed in 1708, 1715 1719 and 1745.

The 1708 rebellion was supported by the French who transported James II ‘The Old Pretender’ on an invasion fleet with 6,000 men. But when the fleet reached the Firth of Forth they were met by the Royal Navy, and abandoned the attempt.

The 1715 rebellion had little foreign support, because France had signed a treaty with Britain.

In 1719, Spain sent an invasion fleet with 5,000 troops to invade south-west England, while two frigates headed for Scotland to meet up with Jacobite supporters. However a severe storm wrecked the plan.

The 1745 rebellion was a more complicated and more successful attempt, which began in 1744 with the support of King Louis XV of France. The plan was to send an invasion fleet and land “Bonnie Prince Charlie” in support of his father James (III the Old Pretender). Once again rough weather disrupted the invasion fleet, sinking and damaging several ships.

Charles tried again in 1745, sailing to the Western Isles with a collection of volunteers and exiles on two French ships. He gathered considerable support, marched south and entered Edinburgh. James was proclaimed King of Scotland with Charles as his Regent.

The Jacobites defeated the government army at the Battle of Prestonpans, and invaded England. They reached Derby, before losing their nerve and returning to Scotland, where they were crushed at the Battle of Culloden. Charles escaped via the Western Isles.

One of the aftermaths of the ’45 was the damage to Airth’s reputation as a port. In 1746 Jacobite troops set up batteries to drive off the ships of the government. There was some ship to shore skirmishing and a number of ships in the port were burned by loyalist troops.