The Battle of Culloden: Forty Six

[@Barnehy1]

Thank you from the United States. I have much to learn about my Scottish heritage, and your way of telling these stories is most engaging. Please keep making more videos!

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Many thanks Paul.

[@Anime99loveable]

Outlander led me here! I loved it, clear and easy information nicely put.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Many thanks Megumi, much appreciated.

[@PortmanRd]

Don't you mean 'Hollywood' led you there? 😂

[@philiprufus4427]

Outlander is ripping tele, however historical hogwash. Not a Redcoated Scot in sight and there were thousands,as there were English on the princes force !

[@lesleydunbar1643]

Excellent wee film on how the horrors continued after Culloden. Thank you for putting this together.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Many thanks Lesley, much appreciated.

[@angusdrummond6719]

Things I'd hadn't learned here. Much thanks. I will resort from name calling Cumberland out loud....my mind has several colourful titles.

[@williamparker1085]

i have visited the battle site and found the experience both moving and thought provoking

[@goldbug7127]

The story, as I have been able to discern from genealogy records, is that twelve years after the battle, in 1758, with no end in sight of English atrocities, the leader of my clan sent his two eldest sons, John and Alexander Dunbar, to the new world aboard the Hector to rebuild with a "new birth of freedom'. They landed on the rocky shore of Nova Scotia, (New Scotland) and named it for their birthplace, Pictou County. I'm a seventh generation Canadian. My father's name is John Alexander Dunbar, and my brothers are named John and Alexander. "...It is not for glory, riches or honours we fight, but for liberty alone, which no good man loses but with his life." Long Live a Free Scotland! and God bless Canada.

[@sjmt66]

I think you'll find that the majority of these 'English atrocities' were carried out by scots. Local militias, clan rivalries form government supporting highlanders and lowland regular units. This is not to say that the English are innocent in this, they are not, but the view of an English army running riot in Scotland is false. The majority of the troops at Culloden were Scottish commanded by a German.

[@alistairbain6149]

@@sjmt66 Aye but they still fought and committed atrocities for the Butcher and the English government.

[@goldbug7127]

@@sjmt66 Oh, really? Who published YOUR history books? Marvel comics?

[@sjmt66]

@@alistairbain6149 yes they did but it was a British government not English. Many Scots try to disassociate themselves from the uncomfortable parts of their history but remind the English of theirs. The clearances were under the control of three men when Cumberland (an odious character) left, Two of them were Scottish aided by a clan leader who's clan had fought on the Jacobite side in the battle. He also surrendered 80 or so of his clan to be sent to the plantations as indentured labour.

[@sjmt66]

@@goldbug7127 maybe you should try reading a few then

[@finneire2081]

Fantastic channel god bless those brave highlanders

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Many thanks Finn.

[@finneire2081]

@@hamishmacdonald6997 no problem Hamish keep up the good work we had an ill fated rebellion not long after in 1798 i am a direct descendant of wexford men who fought there names we have in many books . If your ever in Ireland i wouod love to show you around the battle sites especially vinegar Hill. Take care mo Cara

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

@@finneire2081 Many thanks Finn, I remember learning about Kilalla and Castlebar and the 1798 rebellion some years ago, would love to go Ireland at some point, I went in 1995 and drove from Dublin to Galway & Mayo, was excellent spent a week or so in Cliffden then went to Donegal for a couple of weeks in 2003 which was the last time we were there. Aw the best.

[@finneire2081]

@@hamishmacdonald6997 ah yes the castlebar races as the battle was called very tragic rebellion .Donegal is beautiful hime to the great O'Donnell's. Going to Galway you might of passed the site of the Battle of knockdoe said to be the bloodiest of all . Scotalnd is Beautiful ive been to aberdeen banff and mcduff Once the most beautiful of all argyll Didnt want to leave . Best wishes Finn

[@BigTrainBuff]

Gen. William T Sherman once told graduating cadets that war is all hell. Events at Culloden support this view.

[@petermcnaughton9393]

Yes but Sherman did not sanction genocide as happened to the Gaelic speaking Highland peoples. This included the extermination of men, wonen and children! 0:12 0:12

[@Sonny-m1f]

​@@petermcnaughton9393yes Sherman did. He sanctioned genocide on southern civilians aswell as native Americans constantly. It is well known. He was worse than Cumberland.

[@robwalsh9843]

Culloden is about as tragic a last stand as you can imagine. But the British quickly learned to make use of the Scottish martial spirit, and thus the ferocity of Scottish fighting found itself tested against multiple adversaries soon after.

[@BigMrFirebird]

Cumberland was also rewarded with Cumberland Lodge, in Windsor Great Park. I've stayed there. The famous painting of the Highland charge against Barrel's regiment at Culloden is hung on the wall of the main stairs. The Highland figures in the painting were Jacobite prisoners from the battle, forced to pose. In my local churchyard is the grave of a man who fought in "The Yorkshire Blues" against the Jacobites. Also, a few miles south, just off the A1 in North Notts is a lane with a stone at the side, which simply says "A Rebel". A deserter, on their way back north? We'll probably never know.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Cheers for that, the Jacobites had expected their numbers to swell as they moved south through the north of England, it never really materialised with only a comparitive few joining.

[@BigMrFirebird]

@@hamishmacdonald6997 The man from our village in what is now South Yorks was the church sexton. He was quoted later in life saying of the Jacobites, "Dang it, they fought like tigers". What I'll say is, they all deserved a better fate.

[@rebeccaanderson5191]

This is the opening statement on the home page of Cumberland Lodge, now an event venue... the bit about "social division" is tone deaf after the namesake's actions in Scotland. "Cumberland Lodge empowers people, through dialogue and debate, to tackle the causes and effects of social division."

[@BigMrFirebird]

@@rebeccaanderson5191 Ironic.

[@BrianClunie]

Thank you for sharing

[@petermaguire4166]

Excellent! Irrefutable facts superbly presented. Looking forward to more. Thanks!

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Many thanks Peter looking to put another historical video up soon.

[@rebeccalaflamme7506]

Just now saw this. I would say the English have much to answer for. Every time I read anything about the battle of Culloden, I am saddened. I am from the US, but I have Scottish heritage. Thanks for this. I love learning about Scottish history.

[@philiprufus4427]

Many of the redcoated soldiers at Culloden were Scots,Dutch,German Hessians and French Heuganots were also in the government army. The North British Fusileirs (Ayrshire and Dumfries), The Royal Scots(Edinburgh and Midlothian),The Campbell Militia(Argyll,later of that name),Semples,The Scots Borderers. Gardeners Dragoons and The Glasgow and Edinburgh town guard had previously been involved in the uprising. One suspects many old clan scores were settled. As mentioned there were instances of English Officers refusing to take part in brutality. Not so,Captain Carolin Scott, a Lowland Scotsman who with his men got 'stuck in.'

[@alancumming6407]

If you can you should try and watch Tom Weir's two part film about "Bonnie Prince" Charlie. It will give you another perspective of the story. philiprufus4427 has already pointed out the inaccuracy of looking at the scenario as Scottish v English conflict which you seem to be doing, so I won't duplicate what he said!

[@silverbullet8338]

Great upload ,enjoyed it from start to finish. Beautiful piece of music . In there also. What was done after the battle . Is brutal, vicious basically a form of cleansing.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Many thanks for watching & comments.

[@michaelkane8299]

It's called Genocide!!!

[@NorrieMacTHESMOG]

It was great to be part of the hundreds that managed the service this year

[@jowindham6204]

Thank you

[@oceangal70]

Interesting info on James Fraser hiding in the cave aka the Dunbonnet

[@Billcarsonstobaccobox]

I still consider Peter Watkins Colluden an 'almost' complete masterpiece for the time (1964). I watched it on TV when I was 14 and was spellbound. Bought it on VHS later in life... Then dvd. The way he mixed live news station type filming with commentary as the battle(reinactment) was unfolding was excellent. I would like to see a similar but hour long documentary on what really happened to the ninth roman legion in caladoneia. I believe if I had the skills to do so I know how I would play it out and what I believe happened to the ninth legion. Watkins 1964 docu-drama can at this moment be seen on you tube plus extras that came with the dvd I believe.

[@aac7183]

Its not certain Legio IX was in Caledonia at the time of its demise or disbandonment. Any documentary would be conjecture due tp a lack of historical evidence or documentation. The idea of the legion disappearing in Caledonia was popularised in a novel published in the 1950`s

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Excellent film particularly for its time, last saw it in 1996 when the BBC screened it as part of 250th anniversary of the battle.

[@sjmt66]

@@hamishmacdonald6997 it is very good. a few minor inaccuracies revealed by more modern research but not game changing. You can still find it on KZbin

[@petermcnaughton9393]

The Ninth Roman Legion were eaten by the people of Killin in what was called Perthshire!

[@Billcarsonstobaccobox]

@@petermcnaughton9393 +yes, I can believe that.

[@aac7183]

One of your very best Hamish . A forgotten and shameful episode in our history.

[@Billcarsonstobaccobox]

Not the most shameful. That goes to the Glencoe massacre.

[@alistairbain6149]

I haven’t forgotten.

[@johnmudd6453]

@@alistairbain6149 were you alive in 1746 ? You cant forget something you didn't experience !

[@pattysteberger1029]

First one I watched! Loved it! I subscribed.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Many thanks Patty.

[@donaldhardie4728]

Thank you. This is peoples history. The experiences of the ordinary person and the affects of those experiences for generations afterwards is often forgotten. Also the atrocities committed by the Hanovarian scourge who have posioned all four countries of this lovely isle. Usurpers, butchers, pretenders!

[@amulyamishra5745]

It's incredible how just 18 years later, a Scottish Laird(8th of Novar), Hector Munro led East India Company forces against the coalition army of the Mughal Emperor, Nawab of Awadh, &Nawab of Bengal at the Battle of Buxar in India and defeated them. This battle is truly the onset of the British Raj in India instead of the Battle of Plassey which merely marked the active interference of the British in Indian politics.

[@michaelwhite8031]

There were Scottish fighting for the English at Culloden. The clans would often hedge their bets.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Hi Michael, four Scottish regiments lined up in the Hanoverian/Government army at Culloden against the Jacobites. There is no great surprise in this, various Scottish or clan armies had already lined up against each other in various conflicts or power struggles over the centuries. During the Jacobite Rising of 1715 a largely Highland Jacobite army faced a government army (loyal to King George) comprised of Scottish and English soldiers under the command of the Duke of Argyll. Similarly during the Civil War of the 17th Century different clans sided with either the Royalist or Covenanter causes such as at the Battle of Inverlochy (1645). A large proportion of Charles II's army at the Battle of Worcester (1651) comprised Scottish soldiers fighting against Cromwell's Parliamentary Army, while at the Battle of Marston Moor (1642) a large contingent of Scottish soldiers fought for the Parliamentary Army against the Royalists. So while the majority of the government army at Culloden was comprised of English regiments, it would be more accurate, I think, to say that 'there were Scottish fighting for the Hanoverian/Government army at Culloden'.

[@michaelwhite8031]

@@hamishmacdonald6997l am an English man with Scotish and Irish ancestors. Some of my family were against the English, some for them. We have had many sad events in history with brother fighting against brother. The Scotish wars of independence were fought Norman lord against Norman lord. We live in a mixed up world. Thank you for your long reply. For an Englishman my greatest hero was James Graham Marquis of Montrose.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

@@michaelwhite8031 Cheers, you'll no doubt be familiar with the aforementioned Civil War history then, take care & all the best.

[@michaelwhite8031]

@@hamishmacdonald6997 thank You to my friend.

[@stephensimpson9885]

More Scots than English !!!!

[@mattnolan5527]

the Fact is Cumberland is a despised figure but was a real soldier not a cowardly fop like prince charlie who ran like a rabbit and left better men to die

[@johnmudd6453]

And like a lot of Scots became an alcoholic , not brothers in arms, more like brothers in bars

[@philiprufus4427]

@@johnmudd6453 Those Highlanders were defeated by fellow Scots in part. They later did 'Sterling Work,' in The British Army, as many of their countrymen did during the 45,though not on Charlie's side.

[@Sonny-m1f]

He fled with the entire right wing of his army. He wasn't a fop an he didn't have an Italian accent. He was tutored in the exiled Stuart court by English an Scots tutors. You have been brought up on Hanoverian propaganda and it's sad. I bet the clearances an proscription are the princes fault to huh? U have Stockholm syndrome. A health to king James. 🦄⚔️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚔️🦄

[@Sonny-m1f]

​@@johnmudd6453seeing his army routed at drummossie moor had a lot to do with his alcoholism. He was the rightful heir.

[@mattnolan5527]

@@Sonny-m1f he was a coward

[@hughmac13]

Good channel.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Many thanks, Hugh!

[@brianford8493]

Brilliant!

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Many thanks Brian.

[@michaelkirk1198]

Two of my ancestors were hung in Dunfermline for being Jacobites and they were both Lowland, Prostestant Scots who hated the Union with England

[@molecatcher3383]

At the battle of Alford, in 1645, the House of Stuart (Stewart) supporting Scottish army won a decisive victory over the Scottish Covenanting army. In the aftermath nearly all of the Covenater army was slaughtered including many who had surrendered. Many of the Covenanters were locally recruited and had very little military exprerience. In the pre-modern era the brutal killing of prisoners, wounded etc was viewed differently from how it is today and was not always considered to be a war-crime. Often the winning side had personal scores to settle (like losing friends or family at the hands of their opponents) and took brutal revenge from the losing side.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

True, I'm sure many more such examples could be cited, the video here was made as part of an online broadcast which had inputs from people talking about things like the broader history and details of the battle, politics of the day etc. so I wanted to focus on the impact on ordinary people. What makes the aftermath of Culloden stand out historically was the brutal attack on the civilian population of the Highlands, many of whom had taken no part in the rebellion and the ultimate effect this and later legislations brought about by the rising would have on Gaelic civilisation. From the writings of Bishop Robert Forbes (who catalogued the atrocities) and a number of his contemporaries Cumberland's conduct was viewed with horror, apparently in London too when news of his policies and conduct reached there. It's worth remembering that only a minority of clans came out in favour of Charles Edward Stuart but the Highland way of life as a whole was a target for brutal reprisals.

[@MezzaLoey]

Many thanks for this informative account…also well designed and scripted.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Many thanks Mary.

[@tomjones7593]

I well remember a smallish stone maybe 2-3 feet high beside the road from Tomintoul along the River A'an- called the Soldier's Stone. I think its about 40 miles from Culloden and South-East- any connection do you think? I'm not sure any reiver /poacher would try to assassinate a man with a blunderbuss- sounds most unlikely to me-maximum range a few yards Interesting video though-thanks- Tom

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Re the stone it's possible as there were large numbers of Jacobites from the Northeast during both the 1715 and 1745 rising. Corrie's assassination attempt and his refuge in the cave must have been told down the generations, I learned that version of it from a book published in the early 1920s. There's no knowing of course what the actual circumstances were as there are only anecdotal accounts and he was never caught or brought to trial for the details to be recorded. The fact that he dug a trench by the roadside and waited there maybe implies he had to wait until they were at close range but that might have made his escape more unlikely. Did filling it with scrap and nails give him a chance of a 'hit'? At the end of the day, we'll never know, whatever the firearm involved it's just a pity he missed!

[@rc59191]

Even though I'm a proud Jacobite it really makes me angry how Bonnie Prince Charlie just left his men behind and didn't even attempt to organize any sort of resistance. He made so many mistakes and our ancestors paid the price of it.

[@danielwalker6672]

Little snippet of info. The marquess of tullibardine sought out refuge @ the ross priory - gartocharn ; following the battle of culloden. He was took In & quickly betrayed. As he was taken away from ross priory headed to dumbarton Castle as prisoner - he cursed the ross priory with something along the lines of "there will be murrays on the braes of atholl when there's never a buchanan on the ross" Quite an interesting story. I actually work as one of the chefs in ross priory so I can confirm this to be true. 😁

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

There can be nae worse fate than gettin taken tae Dumbarton (only kiddin, A'm frae Clydebank). Good wee spot Gertyhern - we used tae go for walks up Duncryne then play fitba in the wee park which wis great cause it had nets in the goals (c. late 60s/early 70s).

[@tonybaker55]

Some of my ancestors hail from Aberdeenshire and I have always wondered which side they were on. Here's hoping it was not Cumberland they supported.

[@stephensimpson9885]

It was 😂😂😂😂🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧😪

[@stephensimpson9885]

Cumberland travelled from Aberdeen to Nairn before the battle at culloden, which is only 4 miles from our house 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@gk310]

The NE Scotland was a strong supporter of the Jacobite cause probably because most were episcopal at the time

[@PortmanRd]

The outcome was inevitable and doomed to fail, but at least Bonnie escaped the fate of James IV who died honourably fighting at Flodden instead of fleeing the battle and dying in obscurity.

[@Sonny-m1f]

Inevitable? No. Recognize the winners write the history books.

[@chriswitmer4446]

No question that Cumberland's troops were involved in atrocities after Culloden. However, therein lies the problem. Stories about popular lost causes tend to sprout legs and as time passes, grow into mythic legends that are not true. So, is there a good reference work that looks strictly at identifable and legimate contemporary accounts to set the story straight?

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

As is mentioned in the video (from 12:51), the main source for atrocities committed by Hanoverian forces were collated by Robert Forbes, who himself gathered accounts from merchants, ministers, eye witnesses, etc. These were documented in The Lyon in Mourning, particularly the chapter 'Barbarities After Culloden'. Stories such as Corrie's assassination attempt on Cumberland and Prince Charlie's retreat from Gorthleck House are less documented and therefore more anecdotal, however all the events in the video have been documented in some form.

[@chriswitmer4446]

@@hamishmacdonald6997 Thanks.

[@MrZomg17]

Hail to a MacDonald from a Henderson!!!!!

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Hail, Henderson!

[@icey_gamingd9886]

Nice

[@Oheh84]

This is a fantastic video, Hamish. Sadly, the British state continued to commit atrocities for centuries, and can be regarded as one of the most morally reprehensible establishments that ever existed.

[@addictedtoangling]

This is being simplified theres a lot more of a political background in scotland before the battle even took place i read comments here about english soldiers this and that the fact is there were a large number of scots fighting FOR cumberlands army at culloden after the battle cumberland was applauded by lowland scots for his victory the jacobite forces were an army of rebels who attacked fellow scottish clans if they failed to provide support etc charles stewart was a foreign pretender who caused the death of thousands of scots thats a fact videoes like this one skirt a lot of facts and give theories and conjecture credability scotland has a very divided history and its society today is still divided on similar matters even to this day

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Some good points but maybe you should watch again because there is no mention in this video about English soldiers, only Government, Jacobite or Redcoats. For a bit of context, it was made for an online broadcast which featured experts from the National Trust, some published authors such as Sarah Fraser and Outlander author Diana Gabaldon. With these individuals being far more qualified than me to discuss the finer details of the battle and the politics surrounding it I decided on a remit that would concentrate on the aftermath of the battle and it’s effect on ordinary people which is hopefully clear in the narrative. The battlefield is near where I live and sites like the Prisoner’s Stone only a short walk away so the idea was to use local sites and tell their often forgotten stories.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

ps If you can point me to any theorising or conjecture in the video I’d be happy to discuss.

[@addictedtoangling]

@@hamishmacdonald6997 forgive my ignorance for thinking the redcoats were english i appologise

[@addictedtoangling]

@@hamishmacdonald6997 well u give accounts of soldiers going around killing children after the battle this is total conjecture there is no historical proof of that why didnt u mention that the government force at culloden was infact full of scots fighting for cumberland against the jacobites

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Most of them probably were but I didn’t say they were ‘English’, many of them may even have been reluctant conscripts but the fact is that they wore military red coats and fought for the British government and Hanoverian monarchy.

[@colinblick4903]

I’ve read the book on culloden.... an as a ex soldier I’m ashamed of this part of our history

[@stephensimpson9885]

Knob

[@colinblick4903]

@@stephensimpson9885 yes you probably are.......winning a battle an subjugated the population to firing squad, bayonet practise an hanging......ain’t what soldiering is about..... so yes I wasn’t impressed🤨

[@MrZomg17]

The original sin was far reaching mile after mile after mile

[@RuthHernandez-ce2po]

The Scotts who went to the American colonies ( my ancestors) delt with the British red coats about thirty years later. It gives me comfort knowing the outcome of that war. Maybe some payback for what was done at Culloden.

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

Quite a complex issue Ruth, some former Jacobites fought on the British side in the American wars of Independence, though the outcome was excellent! For me at least it's important to remember that the vast majority of combatants had little choice in who they were fighting for whether at Culloden or in America.

[@RuthHernandez-ce2po]

@@hamishmacdonald6997 you are correct about the complexity. I have one Scott's grandfather who went to the colonies as a British soldier but deserted to the American side. He actually received land as a reward for his service in the American army. Most of my Scotts ancestors hated the British. I am thinking of my Lamont family after what the Campbells did to them as one example.

[@brendancarroll9376]

The Scots are British.

[@Pumpherstonsmith]

@@brendancarroll9376 Hopefully not for much longer Mrs Brown.

[@johnmudd6453]

@@RuthHernandez-ce2po it's Scots not Scott's if you are such a passionate supporter of Scotland you would know that, with a surname of Hernandez were your husband's relatives fighting for the Mexicans at the Alamo ?

[@Sonny-m1f]

Alba Gu Brath! 🦄⚔️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚔️🦄 Today is the anniversary of preston pans.

[@Sonny-m1f]

If only Corrie had succeeded!

[@mariedeyo7399]

Thank you for sharing this but it kind of makes me sick to hear the going ons and sometimes I ask myself why they trusted charliboy even doe he did not even know scottland and the scotts.. they lost so much because of stubbern dumness from a little rich pompes boy. And after he did not give a ratstail for his people.. makes me soo mad somehow.

[@stephensmith.fatherguide1518]

As native scot. If.lord Murray. At Culloden. Said. Avoid this. Battle. He did but bonnie prince fight at Culloden moor. We in Scotland don't need bonnie prince Charlie.

[@davidmarrs746]

What is it with the Scottish where you constantly say “ we are the best , the bravest , the most intelligent!! Yet on the other hand you are crapping on about things that happened hundreds of years ago . What about the atrocities Scotland has committed in war ? Are these not to be mentioned ? No it seems would be the answer . Poor hard done by Scotland sold out by its own king & nobles which I see wasn’t mentioned here by the patriotic wilderness guy spouting on about the past when he doesn’t even mention the Scottish cruelty unleashed upon the world with the Bay city Rollers !

[@silverbullet8338]

Lmfao bay city rollers bahaha ..😂

[@hamishmacdonald6997]

😆🤣😂 Aye, right enough.