Osprey Warrior 21 : Highland Clansman 1689-1746

For nearly 60 years the clans of Highland Scotland proved to be an almost constant thorn in the side of a series of British monarchs. Fiercely independent, the clans comprised an agricultural peasantry dominated by a warrior aristocracy. They held most forms of authority outside of the clan in contempt and did not submit to London meekly. Their first loyalty was to the exiled house of Stuart and in a series of rebellions in 1689, 1715 and finally in 1745 the Highland clans rose against the ruling monarch. Stuart Reid examines in detail the society that produced these fierce fighters and the tactics they used in battle including the feared 'Highland Charge'. The social structure of the clans, their organisation, equipment and clothing are closely examined, including an interesting section on the development of the Scottish plaid that culminated in the famous Highland kilt. Weapons and tactics are all studied at length, and a final evaluation of the Highland clansman's effectiveness is achieved by an in-depth analysis of their performance in the three major battles of Killiecrankie, Prestonpans and Culloden. A picture of a technologically primitive, warrior society is conveyed explianing both the Highlander's great successes, and the reasons for the eventual outmoding of their distinctive way of fighting by the increasingly highly trained and technologically-adept English army. Text by Stuart Reid with illustrations by Angus McBride.

Contents

• Introduction
• Chronology
• The Highland Clans
• Organisation
• Clothing
• Equipment
• Weapons and Tactics
• The Highland Charge
• Killiecrankie
• Prestonpans
• Culloden
• Places of Interest