Forensics Team work on Battle of Culloden

[An t-Ileach]

The Battle of Culloden was a terrible tragedy, possibly the greatest to have occured on British soil in historic time. Obviously all the fallen should be remembered and commemorated, and that includes Government soldiers.

But not all of those fighting for Prince Charles Edward that day were actually Jacobites - many were there out of clan loyalty and some strange concept of obligation to the Stuart kings who had rarely returned it.

The tragedy of the battle was partly the stupidity of the Prince (and his not listening to Murray) that led to the defeat, but overwhelmingly the vindictive destruction of the Highlands - its language, culture, economy, and social structure - with the Great Exile that followed by the Union government egged on by the Lowlanders.

In this even loyalist clansmen suffered, and ironically few of the Lowland and English Jacobites paid a penalty similar to what was exacted from the Gaels. It is the injustice and genocide that makes the tragedy rankle among the Scots to this day.

It is sad that neither the Westminster government nor the Scottish Parliament saw fit to commemorate the 260th Anniversary in any formal way.

Well, Clan Donald was there, anyway.

[macwilkin]

The Battle of Culloden was a terrible tragedy, possibly the greatest to have occured on British soil in historic time. Obviously all the fallen should be remembered and commemorated, and that includes Government soldiers.

But not all of those fighting for Prince Charles Edward that day were actually Jacobites - many were there out of clan loyalty and some strange concept of obligation to the Stuart kings who had rarely returned it.

The tragedy of the battle was partly the stupidity of the Prince (and his not listening to Murray) that led to the defeat, but overwhelmingly the vindictive destruction of the Highlands - its language, culture, economy, and social structure - with the Great Exile that followed by the Union government egged on by the Lowlanders.

In this even loyalist clansmen suffered, and ironically few of the Lowland and English Jacobites paid a penalty similar to what was exacted from the Gaels. It is the injustice and genocide that makes the tragedy rankle among the Scots to this day.

It is sad that neither the Westminster government nor the Scottish Parliament saw fit to commemorate the 260th Anniversary in any formal way.

Well, Clan Donald was there, anyway.

This is one of the best posts ever written on Xmarks, INMHO.

I would just add a mention of one of the unsung heroes of the '45, besides Lord George Murray -- Lord Duncan Forbes of Culloden -- Forbes, although a Government man, showed nothing but the best of Highland hospitality to the Bonnie Prince when he stayed at Culloden House, and then unsuccessfully argued against the actions of the Butcher against the rebels after the rebellion was over. Like many Scots, Forbes was simply caught in the middle.

Lest we forget.

Todd

[Colin]

This is one of the best posts ever written on Xmarks, INMHO.

I would just add a mention of one of the unsung heroes of the '45, besides Lord George Murray -- Lord Duncan Forbes of Culloden -- Forbes, although a Government man, showed nothing but the best of Highland hospitality to the Bonnie Prince when he stayed at Culloden House, and then unsuccessfully argued against the actions of the Butcher against the rebels after the rebellion was over. Like many Scots, Forbes was simply caught in the middle.

Lest we forget.

Todd

Good ponit Todd, but let's also not forget James Wolfe, who though he did fight for the English side, showed true honour. He later was chosen to lead the British assault on Quebec and the Plains of Abraham, and fought beside many of the disposed Highlanders he had fought at Culloden. Wolfe played a big role in the shape of my country.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wolfe

[Kilted KT]

This is one of the best posts ever written on Xmarks, INMHO.

I would just add a mention of one of the unsung heroes of the '45, besides Lord George Murray -- Lord Duncan Forbes of Culloden -- Forbes, although a Government man, showed nothing but the best of Highland hospitality to the Bonnie Prince when he stayed at Culloden House, and then unsuccessfully argued against the actions of the Butcher against the rebels after the rebellion was over. Like many Scots, Forbes was simply caught in the middle.

Lest we forget.

Todd

I agree....excellent postings here!

[bubba]

Todd, on rereading I agree. Loyalist was just the word that crossed my mind at the moment. I should have used Monarchy or Hanoverian nobility.

[macwilkin]

Todd, on rereading I agree. Loyalist was just the word that crossed my mind at the moment. I should have used Monarchy or Hanoverian nobility.

I understood why you did, Bubba. No worries! :mrgreen:

T.

[GMan]

This whole thread has been a wonderful read.

Thank you Michael for posting the article, and all you others for filling in some most valuable information.

[bubba]

The aftermath of Culloden was entirely for the purpose of destroying the highland Clan system which had given the English a very bad time previously. It did succeed in destroying the power of the Clan system for all time and getting rid of those seen as troublemakers and rebels securing absolute control of the highlands for the Loyalists.

[macwilkin]

The aftermath of Culloden was entirely for the purpose of destroying the highland Clan system which had given the English a very bad time previously. It did succeed in destroying the power of the Clan system for all time and getting rid of those seen as troublemakers and rebels securing absolute control of the highlands for the Loyalists.

Bubba,

The use of the term "Loyalists" is not really correct in this instance. See David's post and my reference to Lord Duncan Forbes -- many Highlanders who were loyal to the Hanoverians received just as much abuse from Cumberland as did Jacobite Highlanders.

Regards,

Todd

[Pleater]

Oh I am come to the low country
Ochone Ochone Ochree
Without a penny in my purse
to buy a meal for me

It was not so in the Highland hills
Ochone Ochone Ocree
No woman in the country wide
So happy was as me
...........................................

That woeful day what need I tell
Ochone Ochone Ochree
My Donald and his country fell
Upon Culloden field

Ochone Oh my Donald oh
Ochone Ochone Ochree
No woman in the whole world wide
So wretched now as me

First two and last two verses of a song I sing. I have a book in which I wrote down all my songs, and this is number 10, so I have sung it for 35 years.