Battle of Dunkeld facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Dunkeld
Part of the Jacobite rising of 1689
The Earl of Angus's Regiment (The Cameronians) at the Defence of Dunkeld, 1689, Richard Simkin
Date 21 August 1689 Location Dunkeld, Scotland Result Williamite victory
Belligerents
Williamites	Jacobites
Commanders and leaders
William Cleland  † George Munro	Alexander Cannon
Strength
c. 1,200	c. 5,000
Casualties and losses
c. 50 killed or wounded	c. 300 killed or wounded
Registered battlefield
Designated	14 December 2012
Reference no.	BTL32

The Battle of Dunkeld was a fierce fight in Dunkeld, Scotland, on August 21, 1689. It was part of a bigger conflict called the Jacobite rising of 1689. This battle saw supporters of the old king, James VII of Scotland (known as Jacobites), fight against a special Scottish army regiment called the Cameronians. The Cameronians supported the new king, William of Orange. The battle took place right in the streets around Dunkeld Cathedral. Today, the battlefield is recognized as an important historical site in Scotland.

Why the Battle Happened

Leaders and Loyalties

After a big Jacobite victory at the Battle of Killiecrankie, their leader, Viscount Dundee, died. Command of the Jacobite forces then went to Colonel Alexander Cannon. This decision upset a very important Highland chief, Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, who was much older and more experienced. Feeling disrespected, Sir Ewen left with some of his clan members.

Meanwhile, the Scottish government, called the Scottish Privy Council, was worried. They expected a huge attack from the Jacobites. To stop this, they ordered a newly formed army group, the Cameronian regiment, to go to Dunkeld. Their mission was to hold the town at all costs. The Cameronians were led by Lieutenant Colonel William Cleland.

Who Were the Cameronians?

The Cameronian regiment got its name from Richard Cameron. He was a Scottish religious leader from the Lowlands who lived from 1648 to 1680. The regiment was mostly made up of people who lived on the lands of the Marquess of Douglas. This group later became known as the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). They were known for their strong beliefs and fighting spirit.

The Battle Unfolds

Defending Dunkeld

Dunkeld did not have strong walls around it to protect it. So, Colonel Cleland told his soldiers to set up defenses inside the cathedral. The cathedral had its own strong wall. They also used a nearby large house belonging to the Marquess of Atholl.

The fighting started when the Jacobites attacked the town from all sides. They had a huge advantage, outnumbering the Cameronians by more than four to one. At first, the Jacobites pushed the Cameronians back from their outer positions. However, the narrow, twisting streets of Dunkeld made it hard for the Jacobites to use their famous "Highland charge." This was a fast, powerful attack that had worked well in other battles.

A Commander Falls

Colonel William Cleland, the 27-year-old leader of the Cameronian regiment, was a very experienced soldier. He had fought in many battles for the Covenanter cause. Sadly, he was killed in the first hour of the battle. He was hit by two bullets, one in his liver and one in his head. He managed to hide himself so his men wouldn't see him fall and lose hope.

Since the regiment's major was also wounded, command of the Cameronians fell to Captain George Munro of Auchinbowie. It was Captain Munro who would lead them through the rest of the battle to victory.

The Fight Continues

The battle raged for sixteen hours. The Cameronians were slowly forced to retreat. Some of the Highland soldiers had barricaded themselves inside houses. They became trapped when the houses caught fire and were burned alive.

By 11 PM, the Highlanders were exhausted and running low on ammunition. They decided to give up and leave the town. They left behind about 300 of their men, who were either dead or dying. The Cameronians were also running low on supplies. Reports say they even stripped lead from the roof of Atholl House to make more bullets! You can still see holes from musket balls in the east wall of Dunkeld Cathedral today.

After the battle, the Cameronian Covenanters claimed a huge victory. It was a very important win that helped decide the outcome of the war. The Cameronians had fewer losses, with about 20 to 50 soldiers killed or wounded. Colonel Cleland was buried in the cathedral, honored for his bravery.