Tracing Jacobite history across the Highlands and Isle of Skye
Jacobite heritage sites stretch across magnificent swathes of the Scottish Highlands and Islands. From the dramatic beauty of Glencoe with its dark, brutal history, and the breathtaking scenery of Glenfinnan (see above) where Charles Edward Stuart raised the standard, to the haunting moorland of Culloden, this trail is as much a journey through spectacular landscapes as it is a deep dive into history. While popular accounts end with the battle, my doctoral research was dedicated to what came next: the resilience, resourcefulness and agency of Jacobite Gaels in the decade that followed.
Popular Jacobite heritage sites
The Jacobite Risings spanned more than half a century, leaving an incredible trail of heritage sites across the Highlands and Hebrides. For travellers searching for history beyond fiction, these are some of the core locations not to be missed:
- Urquhart Castle: Perched on the banks of Loch Ness, government forces blew up the castle's gatehouse in 1692 to prevent it from falling into Jacobite hands, leaving behind the haunting ruins visible today.
- Glen Shiel: Fought in a dramatic mountain pass, the Battle of Glen Shiel — the most significant event of the 1719 Rising — represents the brief, ill-fated alliance between Highland clans and Spanish troops.
- Eilean Donan Castle: Occupied by a garrison of Spanish soldiers fighting for the Stuart cause during the 1719 Rising, the castle was ruined by Royal Navy warships in its aftermath before its 20th-century reconstruction.
- Kilmuir (Isle of Skye): Located on the Trotternish Peninsula, this is the final resting place of Flora Macdonald, the brave young woman who famously helped Charles Edward Stuart cross from the Outer Hebrides to the Isle of Skye.
- Loch nan Uamh: This sea loch near Arisaig serves as both the beginning and the end of the final Rising. It is where the Prince first stepped ashore on mainland Scotland in 1745, and the location from which he departed back to Europe fourteen months later.
- Glenfinnan: At the head of Loch Shiel, surrounded by towering mountains, the Prince raised his royal standard in August 1745. It was here that thousands of gathered clansmen, primarily Macdonalds and Camerons, stepped forward to join the cause.
- Glencoe: Famously known for the brutal massacre of 1692 — where the local Macdonalds were killed by government troops they had hosted as guests — Glencoe became a beacon of government distrust across the Highlands for decades.
- Culloden Battlefield: On 16th April 1746, this moorland outside Inverness hosted the final, brutal battle fought on British soil. In less than an hour, the Jacobite army was defeated, and today the clan markers stand in silent memory of the fallen Jacobites.
How to explore Jacobite heritage sites
All of these historic locations can be explored independently by car — with only light walking required to reach each site — if you have the time to plan the logistics.
However, if you prefer a private tour, take a look at these two dedicated multi-day private tours departing from Inverness:
Many of these iconic locations are already core highlights along the standard travel routes above. Because these are private tours, I can tailor the daily focus to prioritise Jacobite heritage sites. Simply choose your preferred tour and request a Jacobite focus in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.