Raids on Lochaber and Shiramore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Raids on Lochaber and Shiramore |
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| Part of the Jacobite rising of 1745 | |||||||
 Knoydart, Lochaber |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Great Britain |
 Jacobites |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Duke of Cumberland General Bland Duke of Argyll Earl of Loudoun Viscount Sackville Jack Campbell Lieutenant-colonel Cornwallis Lieutenant-colonel Lord Albemarle |
Bonnie Prince Charlie Cameron of Lochiel Coll MacDonnell Aeneas McDonnell Laird of Mackinnon |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Captain George Munro of Culcairn killed | Many surrendered and taken prisoner Some executed Some fled into exile |
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The Raids on Lochaber and Shiramore were military actions that happened in the Scottish Highlands. They took place between May 22 and August 31, 1746. These raids were the final efforts by the British-Hanoverian Government to end the Jacobite rising of 1745. During these operations, many rebels gave up their weapons, while others were captured. A big part of these raids was the intense search for the Jacobite leader, Bonnie Prince Charles Edward Stuart, also known as the Young Pretender. Most of this work was done by local groups like the Independent Highland Companies and the Campbell of Argyll Militia.
Contents
Background to the Raids
The Jacobite rising of 1745 was a rebellion where supporters of the Stuart royal family, called Jacobites, tried to put Bonnie Prince Charlie on the throne. This rebellion was finally defeated at the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746, near Inverness.
After the battle, the British-Hanoverian Government wanted to make sure no more fighting would happen. On May 7, Lord Loudoun, a supporter of the government, moved his troops to Fort Augustus. Rumors spread that the Young Pretender had been seen on the islands of Harris and Lewis.
By May 16, Lord Loudoun had gathered many independent companies, totaling over 1,500 men, at Fort Augustus. General Bland also arrived with more soldiers. They learned that Jacobite leaders were gathering more men and weapons in places like Loch Arkaig. The government forces decided to launch raids to find and stop these remaining rebels.
Operations in Lochaber
On May 22, 1746, Lord Loudoun led a large force into Lochaber. This group included regular soldiers and men from various Highland companies. Their goal was to clear the area of any remaining Jacobite rebels. Another group, led by George Munro of Culcairn, marched through Glen Garry to meet them.
On May 24, Lord Loudoun almost caught a key Jacobite leader, Donald Cameron of Lochiel, who had to quickly scatter his men and escape. The next day, many Camerons surrendered their weapons at Achnacarry. Munro of Culcairn's group even burned Achnacarry Castle.
The Duke of Cumberland, the main British commander, ordered more troops to search other areas like Knoydart and Loch Arkaig. Lord Loudoun continued to pursue rebels in places like Rannoch.
Operations in Shiramore
By early June 1746, several independent companies had moved into Shiramore. More and more rebels were coming forward to surrender their weapons.
On June 10, a captured Jacobite, Aeneas MacDonnell, finally told Major-general Campbell that the Young Pretender had sailed to South Uist. This information was very important for the government forces.
On June 13, another Jacobite leader, Coll MacDonell of Barisdale, surrendered. He offered information about the Young Pretender in exchange for better treatment.
The Hunt for Bonnie Prince Charlie
With new information, Lord Loudoun sent six independent companies to Skye on June 16. Three of these companies were ordered to go to South Uist, where the Prince was thought to be. However, bad storms prevented them from sailing for several days.
On June 29, the companies finally sailed to South Uist. But by then, the Young Pretender had already left the island. People reported that he had sailed to the mainland disguised in women's clothes.
The search continued intensely. On July 10, General Campbell arrived in Skye and learned that the Young Pretender had left Portree with the Laird of Mackinnon. The old Laird of Mackinnon was captured and confirmed that the Prince had left Skye on July 4.
The Duke of Cumberland ordered a "chain" of soldiers to block off areas like Morar and Arisaig, hoping to trap the Prince. Independent companies were sent to guard the coast. Despite these efforts, on July 21, the Young Pretender managed to slip through the cordon.
The search continued for weeks. Troops marched long distances, trying to catch up with the Prince. Alexander MacDonald of Kingsburgh, who had helped the Prince, was captured and sent to Edinburgh.
The Death of Munro of Culcairn
On August 31, during a march along Loch Arkaig, George Munro of Culcairn was shot and killed by someone hidden in the woods. Soldiers searched for the attacker but found no one.
Some believed that Munro was killed by mistake, meant for another officer, as an act of revenge. Lord Albemarle, another commander, reported that the killer was likely John Roy McFie. Later, a suspect was handed over, but Lord Loudoun demanded that the true killer be found.
Bonnie Prince Charlie Escapes
Between late August and September 1746, the independent companies that had been hunting the Prince were slowly reduced in size and then disbanded.
In the early morning of September 20, the Young Pretender finally sailed away from Loch nan Uamh. He had successfully avoided capture by the government forces and escaped to France, bringing an end to the Jacobite rising.
See also
