Culloden - Drumossie Moor & The MacLaren Clan

Culloden - Drumossie Moor & The MacLaren Clan

Culloden - Drumossie Moor & The MacLaren Clan

Bonnie Prince Charlie

Bonnie Prince Charlie

On 16 April 1746, the final Jacobite Rising came to a brutal head in one of the most harrowing battles in British history.

Jacobite supporters, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British thrones, gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland's government troops. It was the last pitched battle on British soil and, in less than an hour, around 1,500 men were slain – more than 1,000 of them Jacobites.

As we are only about 40 miles from the battlefield, we have walked the battlefield on more than one occasion. Remembering members of our own McLaren clan that died during the Highland charge and all the people on both sides that died on that sad day and in the following years. 

The Battle of Culloden (Scottish Gaelic: Blàr Chùil Lodair) was the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745 and part of a religious civil war in Britain. On 16 April 1746, the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart were decisively defeated by loyalist troops commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

MacLarens were serving members of the Appin Regiment and the Atholl Brigade, providing two officers, Captain Donald MacLaren of Invernentie who was wounded at Culloden, taken but escaped. Also regimental surgeon Doctor Lachlan MacLaren of Appin.

The Appin Regiment & Atholl Brigade and MacLaren clan.

The social and political history of of 18th century Argyle was varied and complex. There had always existed a certain amount of antipathy between the Stewarts of Appin and the Clan Campbell and this was exacerbated by the 1745 rising. The Stewarts of Appin sided with the Jacobites and fielded an organised regiment The Appin Regiment. The regiment took a very active part in Prince Charles Edward Stuart's campaign and particularly at Culloden where their onslaught took them into the third rank of Barrell's Regiment where they nearly turned the Hanoverian left flank. On the day the regiment suffered 92 killed and 65 wounded out of a fighting force of approximately 300 men.

MacLarens in the Appin Regiment during the Jacobite rising of 1745.

All MacLarens in the Appin Regiment were from Appin, Twenty-seven total, thirteen killed, fourteen survivors with four wounded.

Culloden - Drumossie Moor & The MacLaren Clan

Culloden - Drumossie Moor & The MacLaren Clan

From the Appin Estate, Appin Lauchlane McLarine, Blarnalough - John Bane McLearan, Blarnalough servant to old Lauchlan McLearan, (stayed home) - Hugh McLarine tenant, Elerick -  Lauchlane McLarine, Glenourock - Donald McLarine, Glenourock - Lachlan McLearan, Doctor, Glenourock - Donald McLearan, his servant  Glenourock -  Learon McLearan, servant Glenourock -  John McLearan / McLarine, boat carpenter, Glenourock - Hugh McLaren, Brother of Dr Mclaren, Glenure, Appin - John McLarine, Kenlochlaigh - Ewen McLarine, Shuana

From the Croft of Annate's Estate: Appin (Donald Carmichael) Hugh McLarine, Annat

From Aird's Estate: Appin Donald McLarine, holder Auchblar -  Duncan McLarine/McLearan, tenant, Auchblar - Hugh McLarine, tenant, Auchblar - Lachlan McLearan, tenant  Auchblar -  Euan McLearan, tenant, Auchblar - Duncan McLearan, tenant - John McLarine, tenant, Auchacharr - Donald McLarine, tenant, Auchacharr.

From Ardsheal's Estate: Appin John McLarine, Acharr - Donald McLarine, Acharr - Lachlan Maclarine, Keil

From Fasnacloich Estate: Appin Donald McLarine / McLearan, servant to Fasnacloich, Fasnacloich - Ewine/Euan McLarine/McLearan, a miller (perhaps the Miller that Invernayhle called off killing Whitefoord of Ballochmyle at Prestonpans when they took the battery) "The Stewarts of Appin", Fasnacloich

From Invernyale's Estate: Appin Duncan McLarine, Invernayle 1724–1809 interred. Stewartsville Cemetery. N.C., USA

From Glenure in Ardchattan Parish: Appin; Euan Bane McLearan servant to Duncan Campbell, Glenure - Duncan McLearan his other servant, Glenure - John McLearan brother to the above an idle man

McLarens in the Atholl Brigade during the Jacobite rising of 1745

In addition to the Appin Regiment MacLarens also served with the Atholl Brigade under the Command of Lord George Murray.

Lieutenants

Alexander McLaren, younger of East Haugh, Pitlochry, Strath Tay - Duncan McLaren, Brewer, Wester Invernentie, Balquhidder - Donald McLaren. Invernentie, Balquhidder - Orrott McLaren, Uncle to Younger of East Haugh, Pitlochry, Strath Tay.

Other Ranks

Donald McLaren, Tenant, Dowally, Strath Tay - Duncan McLaren, Perthshire 3rd Battalion -  James McLaren, Servant to Haugh of Killmorich, Strath Tay - John McLaren, Cottar, Rotmell, Strath Tay -Robert McLaren, (Whitefield's)

House of Labhran