Culloden

[The Jacobite]

Originally Posted by ANDY-J3

I've read a contemporary source from 1745- a diary written by an Edinburgh Banker called Campbell who was there at the time the Jacobites occupied the city. He states that he believed the only reason there wasn't wholesale support for the Jacobites amongst the wealthy classes in Edinburgh was the religious issue. It makes you wonder if Charles Stewart had exhibited a bit more willingness to compromise he could have turned it into a popular uprising with Scots fighting on the same side rather than fighting each other. I'm sure many more Scots including lowlanders would have fought for him if the primary goal was to re-establish Scottish independence.

The thing is is that Charles changed his religion later in life and it did no good. It was too little too late. If he had done this during the '45 (or before) then just maybe he would have receive more support.

[edinburghdude]

you will find good info here. The Battle of Culloden 1746

[ochilsman]

I doubt very much that Charlie changing his religion earlier would have made any difference, especially to the lowlanders. They despised the highlanders and would have been loathe to join them. Glasgow, for instance, was fiercely pro-Hanovarian and the city had prospered under their rule. In fact, Charlie had to threaten to sack the city if they didn't supply his army during the retreat north. One of the main reasons he wouldn't want to change religion was because he wanted support from France, who would certainly not have supported a Protestant revolution. Charlie was never interested in the Scottish crown else he would have stayed in Edinburgh.

[DreadGod]

Originally Posted by ochilsman

I doubt very much that Charlie changing his religion earlier would have made any difference, especially to the lowlanders. They despised the highlanders and would have been loathe to join them. Glasgow, for instance, was fiercely pro-Hanovarian and the city had prospered under their rule. In fact, Charlie had to threaten to sack the city if they didn't supply his army during the retreat north. One of the main reasons he wouldn't want to change religion was because he wanted support from France, who would certainly not have supported a Protestant revolution. Charlie was never interested in the Scottish crown else he would have stayed in Edinburgh.

I second that. If he was just after the Scottish Crown he could have halted his army after the Battle of Preston Pans and he would not have marched onwards into England, towards London. He wanted the British Crown. Afterall it was his direct Scottish ancestor who had become King of England aswell as Scotland in 1603.

[wullie m]

Shelly, the Macleods of Raasay were out in the '45, the Skye/Harris Macleods were not and raised the Skye Militia (with Macdonald of Sleat) to support the Government. When the Redcoats arrived to sack Raasay, post Culloden,there was little worth taking as their Skye neighbours had beaten them to it! The Lewis Macleods (Raasay's relations) were also quiet during the Rebellion as they were tenants of Mackenzie of Seaforth, who also was not out!
wullie m.

[Paratus]

Originally Posted by ochilsman

I doubt very much that Charlie changing his religion earlier would have made any difference, especially to the lowlanders. They despised the highlanders and would have been loathe to join them. .

At least half of the Pretenders so-called "Highland' Army was made up of Lowland Jacobites.

[DreadGod]

Originally Posted by wullie m

Shelly, the Macleods of Raasay were out in the '45, the Skye/Harris Macleods were not and raised the Skye Militia (with Macdonald of Sleat) to support the Government. When the Redcoats arrived to sack Raasay, post Culloden,there was little worth taking as their Skye neighbours had beaten them to it! The Lewis Macleods (Raasay's relations) were also quiet during the Rebellion as they were tenants of Mackenzie of Seaforth, who also was not out!
wullie m.

Although Mackenzie of Seaforth was not out as a Jacobite during the 45 most of the Clan Mackenzie were, under the command of Mackenzie of Cromartie.

Mackenzie of Seaforth was out as a Jacobite during the 1715 but had obviously learned a lesson by the time of the 45.