Historical Background
Following the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688, the English Parliament replaced King James VII with William of Orange and his wife Queen Mary. Many Scots took exception to this and in response, John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, raised a force of Highlanders loyal to James (called Jacobites) to contest the decision. The Scottish government, in turn, assembled an army to counter the rebellion. Under the command of General Hugh Mackay, the Government troops marched to intercept the rebels at the Killiecrankie Pass. The Jacobites arrived at Killiecrankie first and took up a position on a ridge on the lower slopes of Creag Eallich. Mackay, realizing the futility of a frontal attack, formed his troops facing uphill and waited. While waiting, his formation was harassed from a nearby building standing between the two lines. Mackay sent a party of men under the command of his brother James to force the Jacobites from the building. Dundee retaliated and ordered his Highlanders to advance.
True to form, the Highlanders charged. Surprised by how quick the Highlanders advanced, Mackay’s troops did not have time to fix their plug bayonets and were ill equipped for the close quarter fighting that followed. During this action Dundee, while leading the Jacobite cavalry, was fatally wounded. The close quarter fighting quickly turned into a Government rout.
The stage is set. The battle lines are drawn and you are in command. The rest is history?
Hrrand House should be Urrard House.
Battle Notes
Jacobite Army
• Commander: Dundee
• 5 Command Cards & 4 Combat Cards
• Move First
Government Army
• Commander: Hugh Mackay
• 5 Command Cards & 3 Combat Cards
Victory
6 Victory Banners
Special Rules
• Opening Cannonade rules are in effect. After the opening the cannonade, the government guns must retire because the cannons were found to have rotten cartridges.
