Site of Cromdale battle to be protected
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THE SITE of the Battle of Cromdale has been proposed for inclusion for protection as one of the country’s most important battlefields by Historic Scotland.
The first tranche of 17 battlefields on the Inventory of Historic Battlefields, was created in March, earlier this year, to protect them from development.
It includes some of Scotland’s most famous battles including Culloden in 1746 and Bannockburn in 1314.
The site at the Haughs of Cromdale - where the battle is commemorated with a plaque , is part of the next list of 11 proposed battlefield sites.
People living within the sites will be receiving a leaflet over the next couple of weeks telling them about the battlefield and inviting their comments.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary, Culture and External Affairs said: "It is important that we ensure that our key battlefields are protected, not only for the contribution they have made to our history and heritage, but for future generations.
"A new heritage centre will be completed in 2014 to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, one of the most significant battles fought on British soil, between Robert the Bruce and Edward II.
"The sites of our battles are a popular attraction for tourists and a huge educational resource, enabling us to understand key historical figures and appreciate our landscape."
The Battle of Cromdale took place at the Haugh of Cromdale on April 30 and May 1, in 1690.
After their defeat at the Battle of Dunkeld in 1689, the Highland clans had returned to their homes in low spirits. Sir Ewen Cameron assumed control over the army’s remnant.
Sir Ewen and the other Jacobite chiefs complained to King James over the precarious state of his support in Scotland, and the necessity of sending them aid.
But James was occupied with preparations for resisting a threatened invasion of Ireland.
To aid his supporters in Scotland, James sent clothing, arms, ammunition and provisions.
He also directed a few Irish officers to Lochaber, among whom was Major-General Buchan, as commander-in-chief of the Jacobite forces in Scotland.
General Buchan advanced his men through Badenoch, intending to march down Speyside into the Duke of Gordons country, where he expected to muster additional forces.
Due to desertion, Buchan’s force had dwindled to 800 men.
Ignoring counsel from his Scottish officers, to not advance past Culnakill, Buchan marched down the Spey as far as Cromdale, where he encamped on the last day of April.
He was met near Grantown-on-Spey at Cromdale by a larger government force under Sir Thomas Livingston, commander of the garrison of Inverness.
As Livingston approached with his men, on the opposite bank of the Spey, the Jacobite forces started to retreat. Livingston’s cavalry crossed the river and intercepted the Jacobites, who made a brief stand at the foot of the hill of Cromdale.
Fortunately for the outnumbered Jacobites, a thick fog came down the side of the mountain and enveloped them, compelling Livingston to discontinue the pursuit.
According to reports, the Highlanders had 400 men killed and taken prisoners. Livingston’s losses were reported as between none and 100 killed.
A group of around 100 men, who had separated from the main Jacobite force, crossed the Spey the following day.
After being pursued by some of Livingston’s men, they were overtaken and dispersed on the moor of Granish near Aviemore, where some of them were killed.
The defeat at Cromdale effectively ended the uprising in Scotland.
A Historic Scotland spokesperson said: "For a battlefield to be included in the inventory, it must be considered to be of national importance either for its association with key historical figures or events or for the physical remains and /or archaeological potential it contains or for its landscape context.
"In addition it must be possible to define the site on a modern map.
"The inventory will also help local planning authorities and other public bodies who will have to take the battlefields into account if they make any decisions about the landscape that might affect them. "
Consultation for the battlefields on this list will be open until the end of September. Responses and more information is available at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/battlefieldconsultation.
