Sheriffmuir Battle Commemoration

The Battle of Sheriffmuir on 13th November 1715, was an indecisive fight during the Jacobite rebellion. The Earl of Mar leading the highland Jacobites clashed with the government forces under the Duke of Argyll – and both sides claimed they were victorious! However, the battle marked the end of the Jacobite campaign of the Fifteen, and was thus an important date in Scots history, particularly for Clan MacRae whose fighting force was almost wiped out in the battle. Today the event is commemorated by a gathering at the Battlefield Monument, with representatives from the clans who took part. A wreath is laid at the monument in memory of the fallen, with a short service, prayers and often a piper. Afterwards there’s a walk to the Gathering Stone (about half a mile away over the moor behind the Monument).

Helpful Hints

The commemoration takes place usually on the nearest Saturday to the battle anniversary each year (the battle was on November 13th). In 2024 the commemoration should be on Saturday November 16th.

Conditions underfoot may be boggy on the way to the Gathering Stone so wear appropriate clothing and footwear (also I’ve been reliably informed that the event isn’t always in blazing sunshine!). There are a few parking spaces adjacent to the monument, and a few more just up the road away from Dunblane.

When I visited in 2017 I was the only attendee who didn’t belong to Clan MacRae and I felt very honoured to be asked to lay their beautiful wreath at the Monument. The Clan were very welcoming and the event is highly significant to the Clan as so many of its members perished during the conflict.

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Members of Clan MacRae organise the commemoration and you can find their website here: https://www.clanmacraescot.org