A bit of the history....
Ruthven Barracks, Kingussie was one of four infantry barracks built across the Highlands by George II’s government following the failed 1715 Jacobite Rising.
The troops stationed there were to forestall a future uprising, maintain law and order locally, and enforce the Disarming Act of 1716.
The garrison first saw action early in the ’45 Rising. In late August a 300-strong Jacobite detachment besieged the barracks, but lacked heavy artillery to make any impression. The twelve redcoats held out, losing just one man ‘shot through the head’, according to his sergeant, ‘by foolishly holding his head high over the parapet’.
The second, and last, action came in February 1746, by which date the Jacobites had acquired heavy guns. The garrison soon surrendered to Gordon of Glenbuchat’s men.
Ruthven featured just once more in the Jacobite story. In the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden (16 April 1746), the rump of the Jacobite army regrouped at Ruthven to await word from their leader, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie.
On 20 April his message arrived: ‘Let every man seek his own safety in the best way he can.’
Chevalier Johnstone expressed the emotions of all those present that day: ‘This answer, under existing circumstances, was as inconsiderate in Charles as it was heartbreaking to the brave men, who had sacrificed themselves in his cause.’
..the end of the dream. by Douglas McMann, on Flickr
Ruthven Barracks, Kingussie was one of four infantry barracks built across the Highlands by George II’s government following the failed 1715 Jacobite Rising.
The troops stationed there were to forestall a future uprising, maintain law and order locally, and enforce the Disarming Act of 1716.
The garrison first saw action early in the ’45 Rising. In late August a 300-strong Jacobite detachment besieged the barracks, but lacked heavy artillery to make any impression. The twelve redcoats held out, losing just one man ‘shot through the head’, according to his sergeant, ‘by foolishly holding his head high over the parapet’.
The second, and last, action came in February 1746, by which date the Jacobites had acquired heavy guns. The garrison soon surrendered to Gordon of Glenbuchat’s men.
Ruthven featured just once more in the Jacobite story. In the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden (16 April 1746), the rump of the Jacobite army regrouped at Ruthven to await word from their leader, Prince Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie.
On 20 April his message arrived: ‘Let every man seek his own safety in the best way he can.’
Chevalier Johnstone expressed the emotions of all those present that day: ‘This answer, under existing circumstances, was as inconsiderate in Charles as it was heartbreaking to the brave men, who had sacrificed themselves in his cause.’
..the end of the dream. by Douglas McMann, on Flickr
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