On this day in 1745 Charles Stuart (the Young Pretender) landed on Eriskay in the Hebrides with a dozen supporters to begin his bid for the thrones of England and Scotland.

Though only twenty-four when he arrived, Charles quickly gained wide support in the Highlands before entering Edinburgh in September with over two thousand men. Winning the battle of Prestonpans he marched south, reaching Derby before being forced to retreat.

The crushing defeat of his Jacobite forces at Culloden the following April effectively finished the Jacobite rebellion but Charles’ subsequent escape and successful eluding of his English pursuers over the ensuing five months ensured that he became a romantic hero to many as ‘Bo...

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