Scotland’s Jacobite Trails
Charles Edward Stuart’s victory at Prestonpans in 1745 was the first battle of the last Jacobite uprising. It was therefore a significant high-point for the Jacobites in a political and military movement which had begun as far back as 1688 when James VII & II had been forced from the throne of Great Britain and Ireland. The battle triggered an exceptional cultural legacy which has outlasted its military consequences and continues to this day; this is integral to our interpretation in Prestonpans.
But here at Prestonpans, we are also very much aware of the wider context of the battle in the longer story of the Jacobites. That story connects our battlefield to a huge range of people and places, and we are working to bring some of that network together into searchable and useable resources: Jacobite Scotland.
More than 70 sites and locations across Scotland have joined with us at Prestonpans to pool tagged details of their place in the Jacobite story. From this collation it is possible to suggest both geographic and thematic visitor trails. You could explore the Jacobite sites of the north-east of Scotland, for example, or locations connected with specific campaigns, or explore collections of portraiture, paintings, glassware, weaponry, or even literary references from Scott to Outlander. Jacobite Scotland will share publicity for events and activities, assist domestic and international tour groups and offer opportunities for schools to engender a deeper understanding of this era in the nation’s history as it is explored in the curriculum.
Further plans are also in hand to add locations from Jacobite England, Brittany, France, Italy, Ireland and North America in the years ahead.
To explore Jacobite Scotland, visit the website:
Gaelic Initiatives
Gaelic was the language spoken by the great majority of Highlanders who fought for Prince Charles Edward in Prestonpans on September 20th/ 21st 1745. It was widely used at that time across Scotland and the Prince’s Victory in Prestonpans led to a considerable flowering of Gaelic poetry and song. Accordingly the Trust takes deliberate Gaelic language initiatives such as the use of bilingual street signage and interpretation both at the Museum and on the battlefield and has received consistent support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig. A Souvenir Guide by Arran Johnston is Blar Sliabh a’ Chlamhain, has been published; the 3rd Edition of Official Guide to the Scottish Diaspora Tapestry continues its use of Gaelic – Greis-bhrat Diaspora na h’Alba; and John Unwin’s cartoon volume Blar Sliabh a’ Chlamhain, was translated by the late Seonaidh A. Mac a’ Phearsain – all are available from the boutique linked here.
Explore the initiatives that are being taken, visit the link below:
Slighean Seumasach na h-Alba
B’ e buaidh Theàrlaich Èideard Stiùbhart aig blàr Sliabh a’ Chlamhain ann an 1745, a’ chiad phrìomh chath anns an aramach Sheumasach mu dheireadh. Mar sin, b’ e bàrr-phuing chudromach a bh’ ann do na Seumasaich ann an iomairt phoiltigeach agus armailteach, a bha air tòiseachadh cho fada air ais ri 1688 nuair a chaidh Seumas VII agus II a chuir dhe rìgh-chathair Bhreatainn agus Èirinn tro làmhachas-làidir. Phiobraich am blàr dìleab chultarach gun choimeas a tha air maireachdainn seachad air a bhuilean armailteach agus a tha a’ leantainn chun an latha an-diugh; tha seo bunaiteach do ar n-eadar-mhìneachadh ann am Baile an t-Sagairt.
Ach an seo ann am Baile an t-Sagairt, tha sinn glè mhothachail do cho-theacsa nas fharsainge a’ bhlàir ann an sgeul fhada nan Seumasach. Tha an sgeul sin a’ ceangal a’ bhlàir-catha ri raon fìor mhòr de dhaoine agus àiteachan, agus tha sinn ag obair a dh’ionnsaigh pàirt den lìonra sin a tharraing còmhla mar ghoireasan rannsachail agus ùisneachail: Alba Sheumasach.
Tha còrr air 70 ionad agus làrach air feadh Alba air a thighinn còmhla ann am Baile an t-Sagairt gus mion-fhiosrachadh mu an àite ann an sgeul nan Seumasach fhoillseachadh. Bhon chruinneachadh seo, tha e comasach slighean luchd-tadhail chuspaireil agus chruinn-eòlasach a mholadh. Dh’fhaodadh tu làraichean nan Seumasach ann an ear-thuath na h-Alba a sgrùdadh mar eisimpleir, no àiteachan co-cheangailte ri iomairtean sònraichte, no cruinneachaidhean de dhealbhan, peantaidhean, bathar-glainne, buill-armachd no fiù iomraidhean litreachais bho Scott gu Outlander a rannsachadh. Bidh Alba Sheumasach a’ sgaoileadh follaiseachd do thachartasan agus ghnìomhachdan, a’ cuideachadh le buidhnean turais dùthchail agus eadar-nàiseanta, agus a’ tabhann chothroman do sgoiltean gus tuigse nas doimhne den linn seo ann an eachdraidh ar dùthcha a dhùsgadh, fhad ’s a thathar a’ sgrùdadh a’ churraicealaim.
Tha tuilleadh phlanaichean ri làimh cuideachd gus àiteachan/làraichean Seumasach à Sasann, às a’ Bhreatainn Bhig, an Fhraing, an Eadailt, à Èirinn agus Aimeireaga a Tuath a chur ris sna bliadhnaichean ri teachd.
Gus Alba Sheumasach a rannsachadh, tadhailibh air an làraich-lìn:
Iomairtean Gàidhlig
B’ e a’ Ghàidhlig an cànan a bha air a labhairt leis a’ mhòr-chuid de Ghàidheil a bha a’ sabaid air taobh a’ Phrionnsa Theàrlaich Èideard aig Sliabh a’ Chlamhain air 20mh/ 21ad Sultain 1745. Bha i air a cleachdadh fada is farsaing aig an àm sin air feadh Alba agus lean Buaidh a’ Phrionnsa aig Sliabh a’ Chlamhain gu fàs smaoineachail air dàin is òrain Ghàidhlig. Mar thoradh air sin, tha an t-Urras a’ gabhail iomairtean Gàidhlig os làimh a dh’aon ghnothaich leithid cleachdadh air soidhneachd sràide dà-chànanach agus eadar-mhìneachadh an dà chuid san Taigh-tasgaidh agus air a’ bhlàr-cath, agus air taic chunbhalach fhaotainn bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig. Tha Leabhran-iùil Cuimhneachaidh fon ainm Blàr Sliabh a’ Chlamhain le Arran MacIain air fhoillseachadh; tha an 3mh Eagran de Iùl Oifigeil Grèis-bhrat Diaspora na h-Alba a’ leantainn le cleachdadh air a’ Ghàidhlig – Grèis-bhrat Diaspora na h-Alba; agus chaidh leabhar chartùnan Iain Unwin air Blar Sliabh a’ Chlamhain, eadar-theangachadh le Seonaidh A. Mac a’ Phearsain, nach maireann – iad uile rim faotainn bhon bhùth air a’ cheangal seo.
Rannsaich na h-iomairtean a thathar a’ gabhail os làimh, tadhailibh air a’ cheangal gu h-ìosal: