Highbridge Skirmish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Highbridge Skirmish |
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| Part of the Jacobite rising of 1745 | |||||||
 The ruined remains of the bridge |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Jacobites |
 Great Britain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Donald MacDonald |
Captain Scott  |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 13 | 85 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| None | 2 killed 83 captured |
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The Highbridge Skirmish was the very first fight of the Jacobite Rising of 1745. This was a big rebellion where people called Jacobites tried to put Prince Charles Edward Stuart (also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie) on the throne of Great Britain. The skirmish happened between the Jacobites and the government's soldiers. It took place at Highbridge, in an area called Lochaber, on the River Spean. The date was 16 August 1745, and this small fight officially started the war.
Contents
Why the Fight Started
Prince Charles Arrives
Prince Charles Edward Stuart landed in Scotland, hoping to gather an army. He soon met with important clan leaders. These included Donald Cameron of Lochiel and the Chief of the Clan MacDonald of Clan Ranald. As the Jacobites began to gather their fighters, the government was watching.
Government Troops Move Out
The governor of Fort Augustus was a government official. He sent two companies of soldiers from the Royal Scots regiment. These soldiers were led by a Captain Scott. Their mission was to make the government's army at Fort William stronger.
The government troops, about 85 men, marched along a special road. This road had been built by the government to connect the two forts. They didn't meet any enemies until they reached High Bridge. This bridge crossed the River Spean. The bridge itself was quite new, built less than ten years earlier by General Wade. It was part of a network of military roads. These roads helped soldiers move quickly across the Scottish Highlands.
The Fight Begins
Jacobites at the Bridge
At High Bridge, a Jacobite leader named Major Donald MacDonald of Tir nan dris waited. He had only 11 men and a piper with him. All of them were from the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch. They were armed with swords and muskets. They were ready to face the approaching government soldiers.
It's said that the Jacobites used the nearby High Bridge Inn for cover. They moved around a lot, jumping and skipping. They also held out their traditional Scottish plaids between them. This made them look like a much bigger group than they actually were. Captain Scott, the government leader, was tricked. He thought there were many more Jacobite fighters.
Captain Scott's Retreat
Captain Scott stopped his men. He sent a sergeant and a servant forward to talk. But both of them were quickly captured by the Jacobites. Scott then ordered his soldiers to turn around and go back the way they came. As they retreated, shots were fired at them from both sides of the road.
Captain Scott's men fired back. But they were forced to leave the road and move in a different direction. Even before these shots were fired, more Jacobite groups were heading towards the bridge. They wanted to help with the attack.
Surrounded by Jacobites
Captain Scott continued his quick march along the side of Loch Lochy. When he reached the east end, he saw more Jacobites. They were on a hill at the west end of Loch Oich. It looked like they were trying to block his escape route. Scott didn't like the look of this new group. He decided to try and find safety in Invergarry Castle. This castle belonged to the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry.
So, he crossed the narrow land between the two lochs. However, this move only made things worse for him. He hadn't marched far when he saw another group of Jacobites. These were the Macdonells of Glengarry. They were coming down the opposite hill to attack him.
In this difficult situation, Captain Scott arranged his men into a square shape. He kept marching. Meanwhile, MacDonald of Keppoch's men, led by their chief, quickly chased after them.
The Royal Scots soldiers soon found themselves completely surrounded. They were trapped on all sides by the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch and the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry.
Surrender
MacDonald of Keppoch walked alone towards Captain Scott's group. He demanded that they surrender. He promised them fair treatment if they gave up. But he also warned them that if they resisted, they would be completely defeated.
Captain Scott's men were tired from their long march. They were surrounded by more and more Jacobite fighters. Captain Scott himself had been wounded. Two of his men had been killed. So, he accepted the terms and surrendered.
Soon after, Donald Cameron of Lochiel arrived. He took charge of the captured soldiers. He brought them to his own house at Achnacarry. It is said that the Jacobites did not lose a single man in this fight.
What Happened Next
Later that same day, Tir nan dris gave Captain Scott's captured grey horse to Prince Charles. This happened when Prince Charles officially raised his flag at Glenfinnan. This small fight at Highbridge was the true beginning of the 1745 Jacobite uprising. It was the start of their rebellion against the King of Great Britain.
The original High Bridge was replaced by a newer bridge in 1819. The old bridge finally fell down in 1913.
See Also
