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Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we journey back to April 15, 1746, to a windswept field near Dunrobin Castle in the county of Sutherland, where a short but decisive clash unfolded—one that would quietly shape the outcome of the final Jacobite uprising. It was the Battle of Littleferry, a little-known skirmish that occurred just one day before the far more infamous Battle of Culloden. But don’t be fooled by its obscurity—this encounter played a pivotal role in the fate of Charles Edward Stuart’s rebellion. And if you’re curious about other fascinating events that happened on this day in history, be sure to check out my blog at bagtownclans.com/thisday. The link will be in the description!

By the spring of 1746, the Jacobite cause was in peril. Bonnie Prince Charlie—Charles Edward Stuart—had led his Highland army deep into England, only to retreat northward when support failed to materialize. Now, government forces under the Duke of Cumberland were closing in. The final confrontation loomed on the moorlands near Inverness. Every man counted.

Among those making their way to join Charles’s forces was George Mackenzie, the 3rd Earl of Cromartie. He led a contingent of around 300 to 500 men—many of them Mackenzies, loyal Jacobites. Their aim was to link up with the main Jacobite army ahead of the decisive battle. But they would never get the chance.

The county of Sutherland had largely remained loyal to the Hanoverian government, and its chief, the Countess of Sutherland, had mobilized local militia to resist the Jacobite advance. Under the command of Captain Robert MacKay, a schoolmaster turned military leader, the Sutherland men hatched a bold plan to ambush Cromartie’s forces near the ferry crossing at Littleferry, just outside Golspie.

On the morning of April 15, the Jacobites had paused to rest near Dunrobin Castle, likely feeling safe in friendly territory. Cromartie and several of his officers were reportedly having breakfast at the castle itself when disaster struck. The Sutherland militia, though poorly armed and lacking formal training, took full advantage of the Jacobites' lapse in vigilance.

Dividing into several parties, the Sutherland men attacked swiftly and with precision. The Jacobites were caught off guard, and the result was chaos. Some tried to flee across the hills; others attempted to regroup. But without their commanders, the force fell into disarray. Within a short time, the Jacobite force was utterly routed. Around 100 were taken prisoner, including the Earl of Cromartie himself. Many others were killed or wounded, and the rest scattered.

This skirmish, small in scale compared to Culloden, had outsize consequences. Cromartie’s men were en route to join Charles’s main army. Their absence meant fewer men on the Jacobite side when the two great armies clashed the next day. Had Cromartie reached Inverness, it’s unlikely he would have altered the outcome of Culloden—but his absence certainly didn’t help a cause already fraying at the edges.

The Battle of Littleferry is often overlooked in the grand narrative of the ’45, overshadowed by the tragedy and drama of Culloden. But for historians, it remains a fascinating case study in timing, local resistance, and how the smallest of battles can ripple through history.

After the Jacobite defeat, Cromartie was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He narrowly avoided execution thanks to the intervention of his wife, Anne, who reportedly pleaded his case with such passion that even King George II was moved to mercy. He was released some years later but stripped of his titles and lands.

Dunrobin Castle, which still stands today as one of Scotland’s most picturesque stately homes, bears silent witness to that day’s events. If its walls could speak, they would tell of the sounds of gunfire on the sea breeze and the desperate shouts of surprised men falling into captivity.

So the next time you hear of Culloden, spare a thought for Littleferry. The fate of the Jacobite cause didn’t hinge on one battle alone—it was shaped by many moments, including a swift strike near a quiet northern ferry.

Thank you for joining me today on This Day in Scottish History. I hope you’ve enjoyed this tale of surprise attacks, local loyalty, and the overlooked skirmishes that shaped a nation. Don't forget to check out my blog for more historical events at bagtownclans.com/thisday. Tune in tomorrow for another journey through Scotland’s remarkable past. I'm Colin MacDonald—Haste Ye Back!

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