The Battle of Sheriffmuir 13 November 1715

John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar mustered Highland chiefs, and on 6 September declared James Francis Edward Stuart (the “Old Pretender”) as King of Scots. With an army of about 12,000 men Mar proceeded to take Perth, and commanded much of the northern Highlands. Following unsuccessful skirmishes against John Campbell, 2nd Duke of Argyll, Mar was eventually persuaded to lead his full army south, on 10 November. Spies informed Argyll of Mar’s actions, and he moved his army of about 4,000, including Colonel William Egerton’s Regiment of Foot (later the 36^th Foot) who had been despatched from England, to Sheriffmuir, near Dunblane. The two armies met on the battlefield on 13 November 1715.

Argyll was seriously outnumbered by the Jacobite army and his left wing, commanded by General Thomas Whetham, was far shorter than the Jacobites’ opposing right.  It was here that Egerton’s Regiment were placed, unfortunately they were ordered to make a change of position just at the time as they received a charge of Highlanders. Argyll’s right wing attacked, and managed to drive the Highlanders back, but Whetham’s soldiers were overpowered by a much larger force. Argyll came to the aid of Whetham’s men. By evening, both armies were seriously reduced, and although Mar had a great advantage in numbers, he refused to risk the entirety of his army, allowing Argyll to withdraw.

The number of the slain on the side of the Jacobites is recorded as eight hundred, among whom were John Lyon, 5th Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne and the chief of the Clan Ranald of Clan MacDonald, and several others of distinction. James Maule, 4th Earl of Panmure and Drummond of Logie were among the wounded. It meant that the Jacobite army had to withdraw to Perth. The government army suffered upwards of six hundred casualties.  Argyll considered himself the victor and struck a medal to commemorate his feat.

The battle was inconclusive, with both sides claiming victory. However, in strategic terms Argyll had halted the Jacobite advance. Those government regiments present that were titled ‘King’s’ were awarded the White Horse of Hanover as a badge of battle honour. The engagement only served to demoralize the Jacobite army who, with their superior numbers, felt they should have decisively won. Mar’s French and Spanish supporters in particular withdrew their forces.

On 23 December, the Old Pretender, who had been exiled in France, landed at Peterhead, his cause largely lost. He met with Mar at Perth, but was unable to rouse the disheartened army. Argyll, reinforced and invigorated, soon advanced north, while the Jacobite army fled to Montrose, and the Pretender returned to France. The Army moved to Ruthven, and dispersed.