March 3rd , 1746
Bonnie Prince Charlie, also known as Charles Edward Stuart, occupied the Castle of Inverness in February 1746, during the Jacobite Rising of 1745-1746. This event was part of his attempt to reclaim the British throne for his father, James Francis Edward Stuart, and restore the Stuart dynasty. The Jacobite forces had seen a series of victories and had even advanced into England before retreating back into Scotland.
The occupation of Inverness Castle was significant as it represented a strategic move in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, a region with strong Jacobite sympathies. However, the castle itself was not the formidable fortress one might imagine. By the time of the Jacobite occupation, it was relatively dilapidated, and the symbolic value of taking Inverness outweighed its strategic military value.
The occupation of Inverness Castle did not last long. In April 1746, the Jacobite forces faced the government army at the Battle of Culloden, just east of Inverness. This battle proved to be the decisive defeat for the Jacobites, effectively ending the Rising. Bonnie Prince Charlie fled the battlefield, ultimately escaping Scotland with the help of loyal supporters, including the famous Flora MacDonald.
The aftermath of the Rising saw brutal reprisals against the Highland clans that had supported the Jacobite cause, and Inverness Castle was subsequently retaken by government forces. The failure of the 1745-1746 Rising led to significant changes in the Scottish Highlands, including the suppression of the clan system and the wearing of traditional Highland dress.
