In a new event for 2016, historic re-enactors will take to Fort George to tell the story of three key periods during a time of unrest and civil war in Scotland which lasted for 60 years.
Taking place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th August, The Stuarts’ Struggle event will bring the Jacobite Risings of 1689, 1715 and 1745 to life. Now over 300 years on, visitors will be able to discover more about the three main attempts of the Jacobites to restore the exiled King James Vll and his Stuart descendants to the throne.
The Highland fortress will become a real-life timeline, charting the Jacobites’ war against the Government armies, including their victory at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689, their defeat at the Battle of Sherriffmuir in 1715, culminating in the re-telling of the Rising of 1745 and its aftermath. Arguably the 1745 Rising is the most well-known and saw Charles Edward Stuart, James Vll’s grandson, who was better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, return to Scotland to reclaim the throne of Britain.
Throughout the weekend-long event there will be living history camps offering a real insight into what the life of a Jacobite soldier might have been like during these key periods in 18th century Scottish history. Meanwhile special guided tours of Fort George will help mark Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, introducing visitors to the impressive Highland defence and its unique design and construction.
Strategically positioned and with more than 80 guns and accommodation for a 2,000-strong garrison, the construction of the military base was commissioned by the Government, following the Battle of Culloden in a move to put a stop to any further Risings.
Fran Caine, Assistant Events Manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “The Jacobite Risings form an important period in Scottish history. Spanning around 60 years, these events shaped the Scotland, and in particular the Highlands, of today and their legacy is still visible in battlefields and defences – such as Fort George.
“The Stuarts’ Struggle event, which is new for this year, will offer an insight into the three main rebellions, as visitors discover the history behind this period of unrest and civil war in 18th century Scotland. There will also be opportunities to discover what life could have been like for Jacobite soldiers during the Risings of 1689, 1715 and 1745 as well as learning about Fort George itself, which was built by the Government in a strategic move to stop any further Risings by the Jacobites.”
The Stuarts’ Struggle takes place at Fort George on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th August 2016 from 12pm-4pm.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- As of the 1st October 2015, Historic Scotland and RCAHMS came together to form a new lead public body charged with caring for, protecting and promoting the historic environment. The new body Historic Environment Scotland (HES) will lead on delivering Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, Our Place in Time.
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Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016
2016 is the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design (IAD). Through a series of exciting events and activity, the year will showcase Scotland's position as an "innovation nation", its outstanding built heritage, and its thriving, internationally acclaimed creative industries sector. This is a Scottish Government initiative being led by VisitScotland and supported by a variety of partners.
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For further information, please contact:
Grant Thomson
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
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grant.thomson@hes.scot