Marking the Battle of Prestonpans

It was a battle that gave hope to a doomed cause, inspired one of the best known songs of the Jacobite era and has featured in countless books, films and television shows, including Outlander.

As dawn broke on 21 September 1745 some 2,000 sword wielding Jacobites emerged out of the early morning mist and charged the confused ranks of Hanoverian troops camped near Prestonpans.

Photo from The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust

The British forces had been sent north to quell the rebellion that had begun just a month before when Prince Charles Edward Stuart had landed in Scotland and raised his banner at Glenfinnan on 19 August.

Initially Bonnie Prince Charlie’s announcement to reclaim the throne for his father, the deposed King James, wasn’t taken very seriously as the British establishment failed to recognise the extent of the threat.

Photo from The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust

Sir John Cope, then the government commander in Scotland, was tasked with putting down the rising and he marched to confront the Young Pretender’s army. They eventually met on the outskirts of Edinburgh, which the Jacobites had marched into just hours before Cope’s troops arrived at Dunbar.

Following a brief skirmish on 20 September General Cope was keen to fully engage. He believed his troops would easily defeat the poorly armed Jacobites and put a quick and decisive end to the rising.

Photo from The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust

However, while the British troops camped for the night in preparation for a full pitched battle the following day the Jacobites launched a surprise attack through the marshlands Cope had thought would act as a defensive barrier and hinder his enemy.

At around 6am the Highlanders charged. It was all over in little more than 15 minutes. Hundreds of government troops were killed or wounded and more than 1,5000 taken prisoner. The Jacobites lost less than 100 men, killed or wounded.

Photo from The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust

Such a swift and decisive victory raised Jacobite spirits and filled them with confidence while the Hanoverian establishment was left shocked and reeling.

Never again would the British government underestimate the danger. Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland was recalled from Flanders to take control of the army, culminating in defeat for the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden some seven months later and the ruthless repercussions that followed.

Photo from The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust

However, the dramatic events surrounding Bonnie Prince Charlie’s return from exile, the raising of an army and winning against the odds at the Battle of Prestonpans has sparked a cultural legacy which continues to this day.

The battle is commemorated in poems, novels, paintings, tapestries and songs - the most well known being "Hey, Johnnie Cope, Are Ye Waking Yet?”. The tune is still used today and was even played by pipers as the 51st (Highland) Division stormed the beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944.

The Battle of Prestonopans was a moment in history that has fascinated, moved and inspired people from around the world. Now, as the 275th anniversary approaches children are being invited to take part in a special project called ‘Victory, Hope & Ambition’ to mark the occasion by creating works of prose, poetry or art and design that depicts the battle or its legacy.

Photo from The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust

Launched by The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust, a charity that aims to keep the cultural legacy of this moment in history alive, the project has been created as an ideal activity for homeschoolers.

Youngsters, aged between seven and 17, are encouraged to submit works that reflect one of the following key themes: ‘The prince has landed’, ‘A call to arms’, ‘On the march’, ‘Battle’, ‘Victory / defeat’ and ‘Looking back’.

Entrants are free to explore these areas from any perspective, including those of both Jacobite and Hanoverian supporters.

Photo from The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust

Written contributions should be no more than 500 words. Entrants can work in groups or as individuals and submit through their school or privately.

In response to the current lockdown, the Trust has also added an additional category for adults too.

Resources to help inspire and inform entries can be found at https://prestonpans275.org/inspiration

Entries are welcome in English, Scots or Gaelic. Gaelic language entries should be accompanied by English translations if possible.

Photo from The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust

Entries will be published online, and as many as possible will be chosen to feature in a special commemorative book. An event will be held to celebrate the creativity of the entrants in early 2021.

Participating groups are also invited to arrange visits to the battlefield with the Trust’s costumed guides once the current lockdown comes to an end. In the meantime, new video material and online activities are being created for free download via the website and social media channels.

Steven Kellow, Project & Funding Officer at Bòrd na Gàidhlig said, “We are delighted to be supporting this project as it fulfils the three primary aims of the National Gaelic Language Plan 2018-23. We hope that our funding will help children from the area engage with the project through the medium Gaelic and we wish the project every success!”

Photo from The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust

A programme of events is planned to mark the 275th anniversary of the battle of Prestonpans. These will include a tour of The Prestonpans 1745 Tapestry and a special three-month exhibition in Haddington, and a programme of events showcasing the cultural legacy of the battle.