Clans to remember Kintail Jacobite battle
The 300th anniversary of one of the most significant battles of the 1719 Jacobite Rebellion, which ultimately led to the end of the uprising, is to be commemorated this year.
Thanks to a five-figure funding boost from the Scottish Clan Event Fund, the Tercentenary Commemoration of the Battle of Glen Shiel will go ahead at the battle site in Kintail.
The Association of Highland Clans and Societies, in conjunction with the 1745 Association, has organised a commemoration of the Battle of Glen Shiel in June with a £5,000 government grant helping to make it a memorable occasion.
A total of 14 clan and community events across nine local authorities will receive a share of funding through the Scottish Clan Event Fund with around £52,000 allocated through the 2019 grants.
The Battle of Glen Shiel, between a Jacobite army of Highland levies and Spanish marines and a government force of regular troops, resulted in a government victory that ended the 1719 rebellion. Rob Roy MacGregor fought alongside MacKenzies, Glengarry MacDonells, Camerons, MacMillans, Murrays and others, who were all involved in the battle, with up to 100 Jacobite soldiers killed.
The commemorative gathering will take place over the weekend of June 7 to 9, largely in Inverness, but with a visit to the battle site and to nearby Eilean Donan Castle where Clan Macrae are planning an international gathering to coincide with this event.
It is planned that the programme will include a meet-and-greet evening, talks about the rising and the battle, battle re-enactment events, interclan games, a dinner with musical entertainment, and the visit to Glen Shiel and Eilean Donan when it is hoped the Macraes will be able to organise special tours of the castle.
The Scottish Clan Event Fund supports the growth of clan events across Scotland and helps to fund clan gatherings, games and historical re-enactments as well as walks and tours, ceilidhs and festivals.
For the 11 events funded in 2018, Visit Scotland estimate 47 per cent of those attending were international visitors and the net economic impact was around £1 million.
Cabinet Secretary for culture, tourism and external affairs Fiona Hyslop announced the funding, saying: ‘From the Highlands to Argyll and down to the Borders, this year’s clans’ and families’ events are delving into more areas than ever and will help continue to promote Scotland as a must-visit destination.’
The AHCS is formalising details of the events.
To keep up-to-date visit highlandclans.org