Killiecrankie
The Pass of Killiecrankie, Coille Creitheannich - the Aspen Wood, through which the River Garry flows, is a fragment of the ancient Scottish mixed woodland. As home to many beautiful and rare wild birds, animals and plants, it has been made a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
At Killiecrankie on 27 July 1689, the Jacobite rebels, led by Viscount Dundee, fought King William's government Pass of Killiecrankiearmy, led by General Mackay. Both armies made for Blair Castle. The Jacobites got there first, at night on 26 July. They decided to attack Mackay's army the next day and not wait for any more reinforcements, although they were outnumbered. Mackay led his troops out of Dunkeld on the morning of 27 July into the Pass of Killiecrankie. There had been a lot of rain so the River Garry was running high and fast, and the narrow track was muddy and dangerous. It is said that the first man killed was a cavalryman, shot by a Jacobite sniper, Iain Beag Ban MacRath (Little Fair John MacRae). The place where he died is still called Trooper's Den. Dundee had lined up his Jacobites on the slope of Craig Eallaich above the river. They had the advantage of being able to charge downhill which might make up for them being fewer in number than the government army. But they had to wait until dusk because the sun was in their eyes.
Mackay placed his army on the open ground, near a house which was then called Raon Ruairidh but is now Urrard House, behind them was the river. 2 hours passed with only a little cannon fire from the government side, and a skirmish between the men of Colonel James Mackay (the General's brother) and some Camerons. When the sun began to set, between 7 and 8pm, Dundee ordered the charge. The Highlanders had thrown off their plaids and knotted their shirts between their legs so that they could run faster. The government troops fired but before they could fix their plug bayonets into their muskets, the Highlanders were down upon them, shooting at point blank range and using broadswords. The sound of gunfire was replaced by the hacking of swords. Many of the army recruits fled for their lives. Others were cut to pieces. James Mackay was killed as was Brigadier General Barthold Balfour of the Scots Brigade from the Netherlands. The Balfour Stone marks where he fell, and may also be buried.
Some government soldiers drowned in the River Garry as they tried to escape. Donald MacBean was lucky. When he was being chased by a Jacobite he put down his hat and his gun, and jumped 18 feet (about 5.5m) right across the river - losing only one shoe. The place where he jumped is called the Soldier's Leap. General Mackay gathered what was left of his army - Levens and Hastings Regiments, and some of the horse. At least a third of his men had been killed and several hundred taken prisoner. He led the survivors to the Castle of Menzies of Weem, near Aberfeldy, where they were able to rest.
But despite their victory the Jacobites were in trouble. Early in the battle as Viscount Dundee urged on his cavalry, a bullet had hit him in the side. He died on the battlefield. Some of the Highlanders stripped his body during the night. Next day, wrapped in two plaids, he was taken to Blair for burial. Colonel Cannon took command in his place. He was not a good general and the Highlanders did not respect him. Mackay said he spent all his time drinking with Lord Dunfermline. And so, though they had won the battle, the Jacobites were already on their way to losing the rebellion.
The Killiecrankie Visitor Centre -
Opening times
Visitor Centre: 31 March to 31 Oct, daily 10-5.30.
Site: open all year, daily
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