The dramatic day Golspie rang to the sound of battle
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In advance of the Battle of Littleferry commemorations set to take place in Golspie on April 15, Patrick Marriott gives this gripping account of the 1746 confrontation.
The weather in late March, 1746, was shocking, cold, sleet showers and a cutting wind. It was not good weather for soldiering.
Cromartie’s regiment of Jacobites had occupied Dunrobin Castle on March 20. They were perhaps about 300-500 strong and accompanied by other groups of men, but they were all weary and morale was not high.
The 3rd Earl of Cromartie was not a natural leader and his, largely Mackenzie, officers had limited military experience. Many understandably just wanted to return home.
They had been accompanied north by the Duke of Perth’s regiment but they departed south on March 22, leaving Prince Charles’ northern flank secured by the Earl of Cromartie’s forces alone.
For the government, and facing Cromartie’s Regiment, were six companies of government forces: two reservist companies and four militia companies. They had taken to the hills.
The former had some experience and training, but the latter, raised and loyal to the 17th Earl of Sutherland, had almost none. There was much uncertainty between the companies, though they were all clear that their mission was to keep Cromartie’s regiment in the north.
Between the end of March and mid-April, Cromartie’s regiment sought out the government companies and there was the occasional skirmish. Between March 24-26 the Battle of Tongue took place and a Jacobite ship was taken in the Kyle of Tongue by HMS Sheerness and the two reservist companies.
Tempers on both sides became increasingly frayed. The Jacobites became increasingly frustrated as attempted negotiations with the disparate companies broke down. Some houses were burned, cattle were taken and patrols exchanged shots.
The dispersed government militia companies were supplied by careful subterfuge, including, apparently, by ladies conveying ammunition to them “under their hoop petticoats”.
Three militia companies were loosely grouped around Rogart, Lairg and Strath Brora. One militia company went north and would miss the Battle of Littleferry. The two reservist companies stayed in the north too, though a number of officers and men came south, adding much needed leadership and military skills.
Critically, the three militia companies who would fight at Littleferry developed a superb network of spies. Being raised locally, they were in friendly territory. There was little that the Jacobites could do that was not quickly known by the militia.
Around April 14, Prince Charles ordered his regiments to return to Inverness. The Duke of Cumberland and his army was advancing north and it was clear that battle was soon to be joined.
Elements of Cromartie’s force departed and it was decided to head south at dawn on April 15. This information reached the militia in the hills rapidly and a “council” took place on the evening of April 14 at the head of Loch Brora.
A few were for returning home, but messages arrived through the night, bringing word that it was now or never for an attack. Runners were sent out with orders to gather the men with or without their arms, and word was given to march at dawn (Miss Kathleen Lyon - unpublished notes).
A simple plan was made. The “Golspie” company would attack Cromartie’s marching column from the rear near Dunrobin Castle, the “Clyne” company and the “Dornoch, Creich and Lairg” company would attack the column in the flank from the hills south of Golspie.
For reasons that will perhaps never become wholly clear, Cromartie sent out the companies early on April 15, but kept the officers back. It was a fatal mistake. An advance party from the “Golspie” company set an ambush near St Andrew’s Church in Golspie and the first shots of the Battle of Littleferry were fired.
Cromartie and his officers retreated to Dunrobin Castle where they were surrounded - critically, they were now separated from their men.
But the shots were heard by some in the rear of Cromartie’s column and fighting developed between them and elements of the “Golspie” company who were increasingly being reinforced by locals - some were armed with scythes. A running firefight developed.
A few Jacobites attempted unsuccessfully to flee in boats taken from the shore in Fishertown, to the south of Golspie.
Quite quickly, Cromartie’s now fragmented and leaderless column, began to move down the Ferry Road towards Littleferry - now perhaps as much as to escape as to join Prince Charles.
On the hills above Culmailly, and overlooking the moor and Ferry Road, the “Clyne” company and the “Dornoch, Creich and Lairg” company were poised, but they were woefully outnumbered, tired and scared.
The two companies divided into three “divisions” to make their force look larger than it really was and a rapid advance began.
On the Ferry Road, there was increasing confusion and it is likely that the new attacking force achieved an element of surprise. It was the “decisive act” of Littleferry.
Within minutes Cromartie’s regiment broke and fled towards Littleferry. There was fighting all along the Ferry Road. At Littleferry there was chaos.
A brief stand was, however, bravely made and volleys were fired. Some sought to escape across the channel but most of them were cut down by fire or drowned before, outflanked and surrounded, the Jacobites surrendered.
That evening, by a clever ruse, the Earl of Cromartie was made to surrender in Dunrobin Castle.
Expresses were sent to Cromartie for Royal Navy ships to extract the nearly 180 prisoners. And, at about the same time as the opening cannon shots of Culloden were being fired on the afternoon of April 16, 1746, HMS Hawk arrived off Dunrobin Castle and the first Jacobite prisoners embarked. The following day HMS Hound arrived, taking the remaining prisoners away to their desperate and tragic fate.
The Battle of Littleferry was over.
