Battle of Falkirk Muir - 1746

Home
United Kingdom
Falkirk, Scotland
Battle of Falkirk Muir - 1746

Directions Website Contact the organisation

Welcome to the Official page for the Battle of Falkirk Muir (1746) Trust. Charity SC049774
Company SC607149

08/11/2026

Patrick Hume, 1st Earl of Marchmont & Lord Polworth
(Polworth, Berwickshire, 1st January 1674-1740 27th February)

The sword
This sword, which is in the Battle of Falkirk Muir (1746) collection, is an early 18th century Scottish basket-hilted backsword with original black leather scabbard complete with brass fittings.

As was common at this time the blade was imported from Germany as they produced blades of the highest quality. The blade measures 33’’ and has double fullers running close to the back edge. Within the fullers there is the following inscription written in German:

‘GOTT BEWAHR DIE AUFRECHTE SCHOTTEN’

This can be translated as: ‘God protect all honourable Scots’ Although the basket doesn’t have a reign loop the length of the sword indicates that it was produced for fighting while mounted. Typically foot soldiers had shorter 31’’ blades.

The high quality iron basket was fabricated in Scotland. The side guards and main knuckle guard have pierced hearts and circles and have serrated edges. The tang button is of classic form. The grip is original shagreen, either made from shark skin or ray skin, which is held in place by iron wire. The buff coloured leather protector is also original.

The design is similar to baskets made in Glasgow by the Simpsons. The father and son, both called John, produced swords for the Government army during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Swords of this quality often had makers initials stamped on the wrist guard. Unfortunately, with this sword at some time in the past the wrist guard has been damaged and a repair has been made by attaching a replacement with two pop rivets thereby covering the area where ay makers marks might have been stamped. An x-ray might show these marks.

The owner
It is believed that the original owner of this sword was Alexander Hume, 1st Earl Marchmont, lord Polworth who was a staunch Protestant. Alexander was a member of the Scottish Parliament from 1665 until 1683.

In 1683 Alexander was implicated in the Rye House Plot to assassinate King Charles II and his younger brother the future King James VII as they returned from a day out at Newmarket horse racing. The plot failed and Alexander escaped to the Netherlands.

In 1685 he joined with Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll to return to Britain to lead the Argyll’s Rising which coincided with the Monmouth Rising. Both Risings failed and Marchmont returned to the continent. Three years latter he supported William of Orange successful invasion of England.
In 1690 Alexander was made Lord Polworth and Earl of Marchmont in 1697. He took his seat in the Scottish Parliament again and was instrumental in getting the 1707 Act of Union through the Scottish Parliament for which he was rewarded by Queen Anne.

The inscription on his sword for God to protect all honourable Scots would seem appropriate if he believed that the union was in Scotland’s best interest. However the Act of Union was deeply unpopular amongst the general Scottish population especially in Edinburgh.

From 1707 until 1709 Alexander was Colonel of what became known as the 7th Regiment of Dragoons. The Regiment was then billeted in Edinburgh in order to dissuade the Edinburgh population from demonstrating their anger at the loss of their long established Parliament.

Website: https://www.falkirkmuir1746.scot/

29/10/2026

Sir William Blair of Blair’s broadsword

Most folk interested in Scottish history will have heard of the Battle of Killiecrankie fought on 27th July 1689 and perhaps the Battle of Dunkeld fought a month later on the 21st August. However there were three other battles fought between the Jacobites and the Williamite army during that campaign.

Hostilities actually started on 16th May 1689 with the Battle of Loup Hill in Kintyre. Then a month or so later there was the Battle of St Johnstone outside Perth and this Rising ended as a result of the Jacobites being routed at the Battle of Cromdale fought on the Haughs of Cromdale on the 30th April 1690.

Perhaps the Battle of St Johnstome was closer to being a skirmish than a fully fledged battle as the Williamite troop of Horse were caught quite literally napping. The solders ware in their beds asleep when the Jacobite force, led by Viscount Dundee attacked. Several members of the troop were killed and their commander Sir William Blair of Blair was injured and taken prisoner.
Sir William Blair, 18th Laird of Blair, (Blair Castle, Dalry, Ayrshire circa 1650 – 1689 Duart Castle, Mull) had, against his wife, Margaret, wishes , decided to support William of Orange’s successful attempt to take King James VII (II of England) crown. Once prisoner Sir William was marched north to be held in captivity in Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull.

Recently I spent a few days holiday in Oban and decided I would take the Cal Mac ferry to Mull to have a look around the castle where Sir William was held. For early October it was glorious day, the images of the castle have not been altered, there really was blue skies and no rain. I even found the dungeon that Sir William might have been held prisoner in. In those days a cut with a weapon could easily result in blood poisoning leading to death which I would guess was Sir William’s cause of death. After his demise in the castle it seems his body and personal effects were returned to his Margaret. Sir William’s sword was acquired from Sir William’s descendants when the castle and it’s contents were sold a number of years ago.

29/10/2026

A New Exhibition

*What - An immersive exhibition that takes you through The Church of St Andrews of the Scots in Rome
*When - 9th October - 18 the December 2026 (Monday to Thursday 10am - 4pm, Fridays 10am - 1pm)
*Where - Italian Institute of Culture in Edinburgh, 20-22 East London Street, Edinburgh, EH7 4BQ
*How much - It's free

The Church of St Andrews of the Scots in Rome was constructed during the 1640s on Via delle Quattro Fontane adjacent to the Scots College which had been established forty years previously.

Similar to many other important churches in Rome the interior of the building was finished in marble and had many monumental paintings of biblical scenes including one depicting St Margaret of Scotland. Above the marble alter piece a painting of St Andrew was installed. Below the floor of the church there was a burial crypt.

With the arrival in Rome of the Jacobites who had to leave Scotland to avoid persecution after the failures of the various Risings the Church became the heart of the Scottish Jacobite community in Rome.

With the move of the College during the 1960s to a new purpose built building the church was deconsecrated and the building is now privately owned. Therefore it impossible to see what the church looks like inside. That is until now.

The Istituto Italiano Di Culture in Edinburgh has produced an immersive exhibition using VR headsets. After describing the history of the building and showing it's location on a 3D map of Rome the visitor is taken inside the Church and can experience it's full splendour. It is a truly amazing experience which should not be missed at this will be the only time you will get to see how the church looked in it's prime during the 18th century as the Jacobite community would have seen it.

It is free to enter but slots should be booked in advance by telephone on 0131 668 223 or online: https://iicedimburgo.esteri.it/en/gli_eventi/calendario/the-church-of-st-andrew-of-the-scots-alle-quattro-fontane-an-immersive-experience-inside-a-hidden-gem-of-scotland-in-rome/

18/09/2026

**A New Exhibition**

WHAT - Tartan & Turmoil, The Angus Jacobite Story
WHEN - 17 July - 23 November 2026
WHERE - Montrose Museum & Art Gallery
COST - Free

A fantastic exhibition is currently running in Montrose Museum & Art. Emma, the curator of the exhibition, has successfully managed to pull together a large collection of Jacobite artefacts all of which have a connection to the Angus area. Many of these artifacts have been loaned to the museum by local families and some have not previously been on public display. The Battle of Falkirk Muir - 1746 Trust is pleased to have lent a few items from our collection for inclusion in the exhibition.

Montrose, described at the time as 'the most disloyal and disaffected town in Scotland', was a real hive of activity during the seven month period before the battle of Culloden. The harbour was used by the French to dock ships carrying supplies, men and gold to Scotland. Towards the end of 1745 the residents of Montrose witnessed two major incidents within the harbour. On the 24th November the Royal Navy ship, HMS Hazzard, was captured by the Jacobites. It was renamed 'Le Prince Charles' and was used by the Jacobites to sail to and from France with supplies. The second incident was a naval battle between the French ship 'La Fine' and the Royal Navy ship HMS Milford. In a bid to break off from the fight the La Fine hit a sandbank which broke the ship's back. The wreck could be seen in the harbour until blown up 100 years later when engineers blew it up in order to clear the obstruction.

All the display cabinets are crammed full with interesting artefacts. One very special item is the pair of leather riding boots that belonged to Major-General John Graham of Claverhouse, 1st Viscount Dundee (Bonnie Dundee), who was the commander of the Jacobite force that took the field at Killiecrankie on the 27 July1689. Unfortunately, Dundee was killed during the closing stages of the battle after he was hit by a single musket ball. Killiecrankie was a Jacobite victory and after the Jacobites had secured the field Dundee's body was carried to St Bride's Kirk near Blair Castle where he was interred. A watercolour in the same display case shows that funeral possession. Next to the boots is our wooden quaich which was owned by Bonnie Dundee.

During the late 17th century Montrose was one of the centres for pistol making in Scotland. One of the gun maker's was William Lyndsay the Elder. Montrose museum has an example of his work and the National Museum of Scotland has the pair of this pistol. It is thought that these pistols were made for a wealthy Jacobite who took them to France after the failure of the '15. During 1993 the pistols surfaced separately in France and were acquired by the two museums. The exhibition is the first time the pair have been together for more than three decades. (see image)

Many of the Montrose men were recruited into Lord Ogilvy's Regiment and were present at Culloden. The exhibition has a sporran, powder horn, large cooking pot and a sword all used at that battle. The sword, which has been loaned by the Trust, is said to have 'killed several Campbells' during the battle and was carried by a Macphail who lived in Montrose. (see image)

Another sword that's on display in the exhibition is one carried by King James VIII while he was in Scotland after his army's defeat at Sheriffmuir. In the month following the battle James landed in Peterhead and held court at Scone Palace where he was due to be crowned. Due to the impending arrival of the British army James left Scone for Montrose where, on the 5th February 1716 he boarded a ship and returned to France leaving his sword behind.

On a happier note it is known that on Monday, 23rd September 1745, two days after the Jacobite army's victory at Prestonpans, a grand ball was held in the long gallery in Holyroodhouse. The ladies who attended the ball were given fans which depicted an image of Prince Charles as victory. The Trust has a couple of these fans in our collection and we have loaned a high quality example to the exhibition. It has twenty one intricately carved ivory sticks which have been offset with copper foil. (see image)

In addition to the narratives describing the artefacts within the display cabinets there are numerous large information boards dotted around the exhibition that give details about the local Jacobite families. Emma has produced a book to go with the exhibition that expands on the information contained on these boards and is a great summary of all the notable Angus Jacobites.

The exhibition is not to be missed.

13/09/2026

The foreign banker who changed the course of Scottish history

While looking round a museum in Amsterdam I came across this portrait.

The image is of Don Francesco Lopez Suasso, 2nd Baron D'Avernas Le Gras (Amsterdam 1657-1710 Le Hague) who was born into a very wealthy Dutch banking family.

His father was one of the richest merchants in Amsterdam. This was no mean measure as Amsterdam was at the height of it's 'Golden age' at that time. The title of Baron was conferred on his father by the King Charles II of Spain in recognition of his talents as a diplomat.

Don Francesco kept good relations with the Catholic King of Spain but was also on very good terms with and provided financial support to the Stadtholders in Holland. One of these Stadholders was William of Orange. In 1688 Don Francesco advanced a 2 million Guilder loan to William which helped pay for the fleet of ships used to transport the 15,000 Dutch troops that invaded England that year.

When asked by William what security Don Francesco wanted against the loan it is said that he replied ‘If thou art felicitous, I know thou wilt return them to me; art thou infelicitous, I agree to having lost them’.

The invasion has become known as the 'Glorious Revolution'. It resulted in King James VII of Scotland losing his crowns. He, Mary his wife and his son the future King James VIII were forced into exile in France. James established his court in exile in Louis XIV’s old palace at St Germain-en-Leys where he died in 1701.

**Battle of Falkirk Muir (1746) Trust**

Preserving the story of the Battle of Falkirk Muir and the wider Jacobite period through our growing collection of historic artefacts and sharing their stories.

Our vision is to create a dedicated visitor centre and museum at Falkirk, bringing this fascinating history to life for future generations.

🔎 Find out more: www.falkirkmuir1746.scot
Registered Scottish Charity SC049774

29/08/2026

On Saturday 15 August, as part of the 'Jacobite August' programme of events Roddy, one of our Trustees, took a party round the Falkirk Muir battlefield. After the 'walk & talk' the group had a look inside our mobile museum where we had set out a display of 21 swords and two Brown Bess muskets. The Long Land Pattern musket is dated 1741 and was used by Lascelles Regiment at Prestonpans. The other, a Short Land Pattern musket, is dated 1743.

The collection of swords included two owned by Lord Pitsligo and ones owned by Dr Stuart Thriepland (Bonnie Prince Charlie's doctor), Sir Charles Stewart of Ardshiel, James Radcliffe, the Earl of Derwentwater, Rev John Witherspoon, the Earl of Sutherland, the Earl of Marchmont, Fitzjames Horse, Ligonier's Dragoons and Cobham's Dragoons.

Many of these swords would have been used during the battle. It was strange to think that this was the first time since that cold, wet and windy night on Friday 17th January 1746 that all these swords were all together on the battle site.

After a detailed description of each sword we went on to visit the 'Field of the English graves' where we think all those killed during the battle are buried and we paid our respects to those very brave men.

It was great to see so many familiar faces coming along for the walk. Your support is very much appreciated.

My thanks to Philip Coles for supplying the images inside our mobile museum.

See our full online museum for other items: https://www.falkirkmuir1746.scot/virtual-museum

19/08/2026

Did you know that you can purchase Geoff Bailey's Falkirk or Paradise in various locations?

Check out Inkspot & Silverleaf Booksellers, Bo'ness (pictured below), The Helix gift shop or Seagull Trust Bookshop in Falkirk High Street if you would like to pick up a copy.

You can also buy direct via our online shop: https://the-battle-of-falkirk-muir-1746-trust.square.site/

All profits raised go to support the Trust.

04/08/2026

𝐒𝐢𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥'𝐬 𝐒𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝
(Ardsheal 1701 - 1757 Sens, France)

This Broadsword has a basket hilt made of iron and has its original rayskin covered grip. The basket was forged by Walter Allan of Stirling, one of the best Scottish makers, and it dates to the second quarter of the 18th century. The blade is of high quality and might pre date the basket.

This sword belonged to Sir Charles James Stewart, 5th of Ardsheal, who led the Appin Regiment during the '45. The regiment comprised of approximately 300 men who joined with Prince Charles Edward's army at Invergarry in August 1745. The Regiment fought in all four of the main battles of the '45 which included: Prestonpans and Clifton Moor in 1745, Falkirk Muir and Culloden in 1746. At Culloden, the Regiment joined the 'Highland Charge' with the men of Atholl and the Camerons on the Jacobite right wing and were involved in the fierce hand-to-hand fighting with the British Army's left flank.

Although Charles Stewart of Ardsheal was described as being of very heavy build, he was considered to be one of the finest swordsmen in Scotland.

Indeed, this sword shows obvious signs of having been damaged during battle. The basket has damage that has been repaired by attaching a plate to the inside of the Basket. The most likely scenario is that the sword was damaged during one of the first three battles of the '45 as Charles would have had the time to get the break repaired before the next battle. The major unrepaired damage to both the blade and basket was likely caused during the fierce fighting at Culloden as it was unlikely that after the battle there would be an opportunity to get the damage repaired.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝑹𝒐𝒃 𝑹𝒐𝒚 𝑴𝒂𝒄𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒐𝒓?

There have been several autobiographies written about Rob Roy, including the one he wrote himself, which was unusual at that time.

What is known is that a few weeks before Rob died, he fought a duel using swords and his opponent was a 'Stewart'. Although at that time many of those involved in fighting a duel by sword did suffer serious injury and death (see the Duke of Hamilton v Lord Mohun 1712) many duels were decided by who drew first blood. That is what happened in this instance. Rob received a cut below his chin and capitulated.

As Rob was also one of the finest swordsmen in Scotland it is likely that his victorious opponent would have to have been equally as good. Therefore it is more than likely that his opponent was Sir Charles Stewart of Appin. According to the Dewar MSS, during 1734 Charles Stewart and Rob Roy had a chance meeting at an Inn near Balquhidder and had a disagreement about how active a part Rob Roy and his men had actually played during the '15 Rising.

A couple of days after the duel Rob started feeling unwell and took to his bed. It is recorded that his wife ordered some medicines which indicates that she thought he was suffering from an illness. A few weeks later Rob died and it is likely that his cause of death was blood poisoning as a result of the sword cut.

A few years ago our Trustee, Roddy, showed this sword to Paul MacDonald, sword maker and Master-at-Arms, who said that the blade was of very high quality. He mentioned that he had conserved an identical sword which he also believed belonged to Sir Charles Stewart.

Therefore either one of these two swords was likely the one involved in the duel with Rob Roy.

28/07/2026

Edit 04/08/2026: we can see some debate in our comments so if you’d like to learn more about the sword and attached history then take a read of our latest post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19KrVNDTRP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Would you like to see the sword that killed Rob Roy MacGregor?

Roddy, one our Trustees is going to take a small group round the Falkirk Muir battlefield at South Bantaskine, Falkirk. The battle was the largest of all the battles fought by the Jacobites and was Bonnie prince Charlie's greatest victory. Roddy will explain the troop movements and point out the various landmarks mentioned by the contemporary writers that can still be seen in today's landscape.

We meet at South Bantaskine car park (FK1 5NW) at 1pm on Saturday 15th August. The walk and talk will last 90 minutes or so. After the walk the Trust will put on a weapons display that will include Sir Charles Stewart of Appin's sword that was used during his duel with Rob Roy. Also on display will be Sir Charles Threipland (Prince Charle's doctor), James Forbes, Lord Pitsligo's Jacobite sword, James Radcliffe, Earl of Derwentwater court sword plus swords used at Falkirk Muir and Culloden. Also find out the story behind a sword that was in Bonnie Prince Charlie's possession.

The day ends by paying our respects at the mass grave of those combatants who died during the battle.

Tickets cost £10 plus admin fee and can be bought through Eventbrite by following this link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/2026-battle-of-falkirk-muir-battlefield-walk-and-sword-display-tickets-1990588002300?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=

Places are limited.

02/07/2026

King Charles III death mask

As you might expect the defeat at Culloden haunted Bonnie Prince Charles for the rest of his life. However, despite some reports, Charles did not leave Scotland for France in order to save his skin. The Trust has a series of five letters written by Charles to King Louis XV spanning the four month period to the end of March 1747 where Charles begs Louis to provide him with French troops and material so he could make a second attempt to regain his father’s crowns. Unfortunately for Charles France and Britain were negotiating a peace treaty which meant that Charles was no longer important to French interests. Therefore Louis was not prepared to commit further resources to the cause.

Without any purpose to his life Charles spent his life touring round Europe often using aliases so the British spies could not track his movements.

After the death of his father, King James VIII, III of England, on 1st January 1766, Charles moved back to Rome, where he lived in the Palazzo Muti until his death on 31 January 1788 at the age of 67.

As was fairly common at that time a death mask was made to capture Charles' features for posterity. The mask shows that Charles' left eye was lower than his right which confirms that he had had a stroke before he died.

Over the years a number of copies were made, one of which is in the Hunterian Museum’s collection in Glasgow. A while back we were given permission to scan the mask. From there we printed out a 3D copy of the mask in resin. These are shown with the red background.

A few months ago the resin mask was used to make a mold which was filled with Alabaster plaster to produce a mask that had the appearance of Alabaster which very smooth. Three images of this mask is shown. The angle of the light was changed which completely changed the mask’s appearance.

Alabaster plaster death mask of Charles Edward Stuart
Charles body was initially interred at Frascati Cathedral outside Rome where his brother Henry Benedict was bishop. When Henry died in 1807 his body along with those of Charles and their father James were interred at the Vatican in a large brown coloured marble sarcophagus.

Before moving Charles' body his heart was removed and was buried in Frascati Cathedral where a large stone plaque marks the spot.

Address

Bantaskine Park
Falkirk
FK15PT

Website

http://www.falkirkmuir1746.scot/getintouch

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Battle of Falkirk Muir - 1746 posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.