The Battle of Prestonpans 1745 – Re-enactment September 2018.

On the 17^th September 1745 Charles Edward Stewart and his Jacobite army took Edinburgh, all except the castle because of its strategic position, with very little bloodshed or opposition. The Princess father James was proclaimed King of Scotland.

The same day Sir John Cope and his Hanoverian army landed along the coast at Dunbar with the aim of recapturing Edinburgh. He based his army between Tranent and Prestonpans to await reinforcements.

The Jacobite army saw their opportunity to route King George 11s troupes and start their march into England to take London and return the crown to the Stuart Royal family.  Their followed on the 21^st September 1745 what has become known as The Battle of Prestonpans where against all odds the Jacobite Highlanders swept to victory.

The Scottish Battlefield Trust brought these and other events to life at the East Lothian Battle Weekend at Greenhills Prestonpans on the 15/16th September 2018.

The Grand Commemorative Parade departed from the battlefield site at Meadowmill Sports Centre through streets with names associated with the battle.

Amongst these taking parts in what turned out to be a very colourful parade where representatives of clans who fought for the Prince, British army regiments that fought on the side of George 11 and local school children who made flags specially for the occasion. 

A commemoration of remembrance took place when the procession reached Greenhills reminding us all of the sacrifices made by these that fought in the battle.

The first of the re-enactments was the Raising of the Royal Standard of the Stuarts at Glenfinnan on the 19^th August 1745 where the Prince invited the Highland Clans to join him in his great adventure to reclaim the thrones of Scotland, England and Ireland.  

A cavalry display and manoeuvres by Johnnie Cope’s Redcoats followed.

Prince Charles and his officers prepares for the forthcoming battle with a war council.

Bagpipes fill the air in anticipation of the coming battle.

The Jacobites make ready.

Pre-battles skirmishes.

The two armies that faced each other on September 2st 1745 could hardly have been more different. On the one hand, the official army of the British state, loyal to the Hanoverian king George 11. It was uniformed, paid and trained. In its ranks were Scots, English and Irish soldiers, resplendent in their scarlet coats and reliant upon disciplined firepower.

Against them stood an army which had barely existed a month, mostly Gaelic speaking Highlanders from the northwest of Scotland. Many of these with muskets knew little of how to use them, whilst others relied upon their skill with the broadsword of Lochaber axe.  (Event Programme)

These brave Highlanders were here for the exiled Stuart King James and to fight behind his son Charles Edward Stewart. It had taken them four weeks of campaigning and some long marches across Scotland to bring them face to face with the government forces. After some minor skirmishes the battle was over in very swiftly.

There were very few casualties suffered among the Jacobites but the redcoats died in their hundreds, 1200 were killed or wounded and 1800 taken prisoner. Johnnie Cope and what were left of his army fled all the way to Berwick-upon-Tweed. The way was now open for the invasion of England and its capital city.