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An old engraved scene showing a busy port setting. Several figures in historical clothing stand near a ship’s gangplank as more individuals disembark. In the background, sailing ships sit in the harbour, and a stone fort with round towers rises to the right. A small dog stands in the foreground, and multiple people carry weapons, flags, or musical instruments as part of the gathering.

The Jacobites 1715

Highland Archive Service
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The Jacobite Rising of 1715 was a moment of profound upheaval that shaped the political and cultural landscape of Scotland and Britain. Sparked by loyalty to the exiled Stuart dynasty and a deep sense of discontent in the run up to and following the 1707 Union, the rising brought together Highland clans, Lowland supporters, and European allies in an ambitious—though ultimately unsuccessful—bid to restore James Francis Edward Stuart, the “Old Pretender,” to the throne.

This exhibition explores the background to the Rising through the hopes, fears, and motivations of those involved, taking a Highland perspective using original documents and personal letters held in the Highland Archive Service's collections.

Click on the tiles below to explore the exhibition. 

Family tree diagram showing the lineage from James VI & I through the Stuart and Hanoverian lines. It includes Charles I, Charles II, James VII & I, Mary, Anne, James ‘the Old Pretender,’ Charles ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie,’ and the Hanoverian line through Elizabeth, Ernest, George I, George II, and William, Duke of Cumberland. The chart is presented on a parchment‑style background

The background to the ‘15

A scanned title page of an early 18th‑century printed pamphlet. The page is aged and brown‑toned with visible foxing marks. The text is printed in varying sizes of serif type and reads: “THE PRETENDER’S DECLARATION ENGLISH’D By Mr. ASGILL. With a POSTSCRIPT before it, in relation to Dr. LESLEY’s Letter sent after it.” Below this is a horizontal line followed by an ornate printed crest featuring a shield, crown, and elaborate scrolling foliage. The imprint at the bottom reads: “LONDON, Printed for J. ROBERTS near the Oxford-Arms in Warwick-Lane. M.DCC.XV. (Price Three Pence.)” A small number “7.” appears in the top right corner, indicating pagination.

The major events of the ‘15

A monochrome painted portrait showing a figure dressed in elaborate historical clothing. The figure is depicted from the torso upward, wearing voluminous, draped garments with rich folds and textures. A large, gathered sash or cloth is tied across the upper chest, creating dramatic diagonal lines in the composition. Ornate details—including tassels, embroidery, and decorative elements on the sleeves and waist—suggest formal or ceremonial attire. The background is dark and shadowed, with subtle gradations that highlight the illuminated fabric in the foreground. The lower portion of the image includes deep shadows where part of the figure’s arm and a section of patterned fabric are visible.

Highlanders of the ‘15 - Jacobite supporters

A painted portrait showing an individual standing in formal historical clothing. The person wears a blue coat with elaborate gold-trimmed buttonholes and cuffs, layered over a light-coloured waistcoat decorated with rows of buttons and ruffled fabric. The sleeves end in lace-trimmed cuffs. One arm is bent at the elbow with a hand resting on the hip, while the other arm hangs relaxed at the side. The background features a softly rendered outdoor landscape with muted tones, suggesting distant sky and terrain. The lighting highlights the textures of the garments, especially the rich blue fabric and intricate lace details.

Highlanders of the ‘15 - Hanoverian supporters

An old, coloured map showing the area surrounding Kilravock Castle. The map depicts fields, woodland, pathways, and buildings, with property boundaries marked by thin lines. Kilravock Castle appears near the bottom centre as a red‑shaded rectangular structure, surrounded by trees and labelled “Kilravock Castle.” To the north, another red‑shaded building complex is labelled “Mains of Kilravock.” A river runs vertically along the right side of the map, shaded in blue and bordered by textured bank markings. Individual field numbers—such as 259, 268, 269, 276, 277, 278, and 281—are printed throughout, indicating specific land parcels. Small ponds, roads, clusters of trees, and cultivated areas are drawn with fine detail, creating a clear representation of the landscape and estate layout.

Highland events of the ‘15

A painted portrait showing the upper body of an individual dressed in historical clothing. The person is wearing a dark blue outer garment with a row of small buttons running down the front edges. Beneath it is a light‑coloured, vertically textured shirt fastened at the neckline with a small red tie or cord. The sleeves of the blue garment are wide and smoothly painted, and the fabric appears heavy and structured. The background is dark and plain, placing emphasis on the clothing and upper torso. A dark head covering or cap is also visible at the top of the image.

Highland events of the ‘15 continued

A monochrome line‑drawing depicting a large hillside topped by the ruins of a multi‑section stone barracks complex. The buildings sit along the ridge of the hill, with several gabled roofs, rectangular window openings, and walls in varying states of preservation. The artist has used fine, closely spaced pencil strokes to create texture in the stonework, the grassy slope, and the surrounding landscape. Trees cluster at the foot of the hill, while the foreground shows open ground with low vegetation. Behind the buildings, dramatic cloud formations stretch across the sky, drawn with sweeping, layered shading. Mountains or distant hills appear faintly in the background, giving depth to the scene.

The legacy of the ‘15

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