1719 – Battle Of Glen Shiel

The Site of the Battle Today

The first Rising had failed by 1716, though skirmishes would continue. 1719 saw what was known as the “little Rising”. The only battle of this Rising occurred between a government army led by General Wightman and Jacobites under the 10th Earl Marischal at Glen Shiel. The Jacobite cause was supported by France and occasionally Spain. Cardinal Alberoni on behalf of Philip V of Spain sent five thousand men to aid the new Rising. The news of this generated great enthusiasm until a sea journey through terrible weather saw only around three hundred Spaniards reach Scotland at Kintail. This setback made many potential recruits withhold. Less than a thousand men assembled to be led by Cameron of Lochiel, Lord George Murray and William MacKenzie, the Earl of Seaforth. Eilean Donan Castle became their supply base while they headed off for Inverness through the Great Glen. The Hanovarians were aware of their moves and attacked Eilean Donan Castle from the sea, destroying it with the cannon fire of three warships. General Wightman came from Inverness and confronted the Jacobites at Glen Shiel on the 10th of June. The forces were well matched and the battle continued for hours with no clear victor. When expected Jacobite support from the Lowlanders was minimal, spirits fell completely. The Rising was abandoned and the Jacobites headed for their homes. The Spaniards surrendered to Wightman and were eventually sent home after a period of imprisonment.