It is often the tragedy of Culloden that dominates the history books, but today, we remember a different story.
On this day—January 17th, 1746—the Jacobite army stood on a rainy moor near Falkirk and proved, one last time, the overwhelming power of the Highland Charge.
The Storm Before the Storm By January 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army was retreating from England. They were tired, hungry, and far from home. Government forces, led by General Henry Hawley, were confident that the "Highland rabble" would scatter at the first sign of a fight.
Hawley was wrong.
The Battle in the Mist As the two armies lined up on Falkirk Muir, a violent storm broke out. Rain and hail lashed against the soldiers, soaking their gunpowder and rendering their muskets almost useless.
For the Government troops, this was a disaster. But for the Highlanders, who relied on the broadsword and the targe (shield), the weather was an ally. Lord George Murray, a brilliant Jacobite commander, ordered the charge.
Screaming their battle cries through the thunder, the Clans—including the MacDonalds, Camerons, Stewarts, and Frasers—smashed into the government lines. In less than twenty minutes, the government troops broke rank and fled.
A Bittersweet Anniversary Falkirk Muir was a decisive victory. It boosted morale and proved that the Jacobites were still a force to be reckoned with. However, it would be their final major success. Just three months later, the story would end on the fields of Culloden.
Today, we raise a glass to the memory of those who stood their ground in the rain on Falkirk Muir. It is a reminder of the resilience, courage, and fighting spirit of our ancestors.