Old Travel Blog Photograph Glenfinnan Monument Scotland


Old travel Blog photograph of tourists by Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Shiel, Scotland. In 1745 the Jacobite Rising began here when Prince Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie, raised his standard on the shores of Loch Shiel in the Scottish Highlands. Seventy years later the Glenfinnan Monument, at the head of the loch, was erected to commemorate the historic event. Prince Charles initially landed from France on Eriskay in the Western Isles. He then travelled to the mainland in a small rowing boat, coming ashore at Loch nan Uamh just west of Glenfinnan. On arrival on the Scottish mainland, he was met by a small number of clansmen from Clan MacDonald. Stuart waited at Glenfinnan for a number of days as more MacDonalds, and clansmen from the clans Cameron, Macfie and MacDonnell arrived. On Monday 19 August 1745, after Prince Charles judged he had enough military support, he climbed the hill near Glenfinnan as MacMaster of Glenaladale raised his royal standard. The Young Pretender then announced to all the mustered clans he claimed the Scottish and the English thrones in the name of his father James Stuart. A MacPhee was one of two pipers with Bonnie Prince Charlie when he raised his banner above Glenfinnan. Afterwards brandy was distributed to the assembled highlanders to celebrate the occasion. Eight months later Charles Stuart's claim to the thrones of Scotland and England ended in failure at Culloden on the 16 April 1746. Many Macfies, who came from Glenfinnan, followed Donald Cameron of Lochiel on the right flank of the Jacobite Army at the battle. Charles Stuart returned to the area after Culloden during his flight to evade the government troops of Prince William, Duke of Cumberland. After being hidden by loyal supporters, he boarded a French frigate on the shores of Loch nan Uamh close to where he had landed and raised his standard the previous year. The Young Pretender died in Rome in 1788 after never setting foot on Scottish soil again. The Prince's Cairn now marks the spot from where he departed into exile.



All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.

No comments: