Killiecrankie

Killiecrankie

ID: QZP40_159_368 DESCRIPTION: The Battle of Killiecrankie took place on 27th July 1689 between the Jacobite forces of Viscount Dundee and the Williamite forces of General Hugh Mackay. Intelligent tactical judgment led Dundee to take up position on a ridge to the right of the pass exit. Mackay advanced to the level ground below the ridge and waited rather than initiate an attack uphill. Because of Dundee's tactical thinking, Mackay's troops faced west into the sun with the river blocking their back. At a signal the Jacobites charged downhill, firing and discarding their 1-shot rifles, and attacked Mackay's troops with their broadswords. The terrified raw recruits of Mackay's army broke rank and ran, pursued by the Jacobites. One soldier in Mackay's army, Donald MacBean, jumped the River Garry at a place now known as Soldier's Leap. The highly effective Highland Charge meant that the battle lasted barely 15 minutes. Viscount Dundee was killed at the battle and this led to the Jacobite army falling into disarray. The illustration is taken from 'A History of the Scottish Highlands, Highland Clans and Highland Regiments vol. 1' ed. by John S. Keltie PLACENAME: Killiecrankie DISTRICT: Highland OLD COUNTY/PARISH: PERTH: Blair Atholl CREATOR (AV): W Forrest & D O Hill DATE OF IMAGE: 1874 PERIOD: 1680s SOURCE: Highland Libraries COLLECTION: Fraser Mackintosh Collection (illustrations) Asset ID: 30947 KEYWORDS: