Killiekrankie 1689 Re-enactments Given Boost this year and onwards ...

Killiekrankie's Re-enactments on even surer ground ...

It's a pleasure to record that local historians and community groups in Killiekrankie, who started their re-enactment series some three years ago, have now gained substantial financial support that guarantees an even brighter future. they've received a Lottery Awards for All grant of £10,000 as reported below.

This year's 'Killiecrankie Weekend runs on July 30 and 31 from 11am to 5pm. Entry to Soldiers of Killiecrankie is £6 adult, £5 concessions, £3 children under 16 years, family of four £16 all with free car parking.

For further information www.SoldiersOfKilliecrankie.co.uk or contact: – James Rattray james@explorescotland.net or 01796 473335.

The Soldiers of Killiecrankie Weekend includes cavalry and infantry displays, battlefield tours and a living history camp which gives a glimpse behind the scenes of the daily life of the 17th century government soldier.



There are also many ‘period sensitive’ events for the whole family including traditional storytelling, waulking cloth, your chance to dress up in traditional Highland clothing for men, women and children, stalls, food, traditional crafts and other activities from targe and sword making for the youngsters, archery, golf, basket weaving, battlefield horse stunts, punishment through the ages, and the popular Saturday night family battlefield ceilidh.

N.B. There will again be a chance to see and meet Colonel Purcell’s Irish Dragoons led by Tomás Ó Brógáin and Ian Eagleson as they return to this year’s Soldiers of Killiecrankie weekend on July 30 and 31 from 11am to 5pm.




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Quick history catch-up

King James II of England and VII of Scotland was travelling to Ireland in 1689 to reclaim his crown back from King William III and James' own daughter Queen Mary II. King William III and King James’s daughter Queen Mary II’s reign had begun in February 1689 after their successful invasion of England in November 1688 at the invitation of the English Parliament, had led to the so-called Glorious Revolution.

After the Siege of Derry, King James sent support to his Highland Jacobite forces commanded by Bonnie Dundee.

Around 400 men of Colonel Purcell’s Irish Dragoons landed in small boats at Lochaber in the morning of 17 May 1689, before marching to join up with Bonnie Dundee’s Highlanders on July 16 at Blair Castle, Perthshire.

The Highland Clans were gathering to oppose the Williamite forces, which were commanded by another Scot, Lieutenant-General Hugh Mackay.