The Jacobite Risings: Scotland's Fight for the Stuarts

This episode of The Story of Scotland dives into the Jacobite risings, the series of rebellions that sought to restore the exiled Stuart monarchs to the British throne. We explore the roots of Jacobitism after the Glorious Revolution of 1688, when James VII of Scotland (James II of England) was deposed. The conversation focuses on the first major rising in 1689, led by John Graham, Viscount Dundee, known as 'Bonnie Dundee.' Lucas tells Luna about the stunning Jacobite victory at the Battle of Killiecrankie, where Dundee's Highlanders charged with broadswords and targes, only for Dundee himself to be killed. We discuss the political and religious motivations—Episcopalian and Catholic loyalty to the Stuart claim versus Presbyterian support for William and Mary. The episode also covers the aftermath: the brutal pacification of the Highlands by government forces, including the infamous Glen Coe Massacre, which we touched on in a previous episode but now revisit as part of the broader Jacobite story. Lucas explains how the '45 rising under Bonnie Prince Charlie is better known, but the earlier risings set the stage. We end by reflecting on how Jacobitism became a romantic lost cause, but at the time was a very real threat to the Union. #JacobiteRisings #BonnieDundee #BattleOfKilliecrankie #JamesVII #GloriousRevolution #StuartExile #Broadswords #Targes #HighlandCharge #Episcopalian #Presbyterian #ViscountDundee #GlenCoeMassacre #Jacobitism #TheFortyFive #ScottishHistory #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo