On 23 July 1745, Charles Edward Stuart landed on the Hebridean island of Eriskay. He had come to begin an uprising intended to place his father on the British throne.

Charles was the grandson of James II of England and VII of Scotland, who had been removed in 1688. His father, James Francis Edward Stuart, continued to claim the throne held in 1745 by George II.

The expedition had little official backing. Charles left France without the French troops that Scottish Jacobites expected to accompany a serious attempt. He sailed with a small group aboard the Du Teillay. A second ship, the Elisabeth, carried weapons, supplies and several hundred French soldiers.

During the voyage, the Elisabeth fought the British warship HMS Lion. Both vessels were damaged. The Elisabeth returned to France, taking most of the expedition’s military strength with it.

Charles continued and reached Eriskay with only a few companions and limited supplies. His arrival surprised the government in London, but it also presented local Jacobites with a problem. They were being asked to begin a rebellion without the French army, money and weapons they had expected.

Alexander MacDonald of Boisdale met Charles and advised him to return to France. Other Highland leaders were also doubtful. They had seen earlier Jacobite attempts fail and knew that the government could send regular troops against them.

Charles refused to leave. He moved from Eriskay to the Scottish mainland and sent messages to men whose support he needed. His persistence gradually overcame some of their objections.

Donald Cameron of Lochiel was one of the most important recruits. His decision encouraged other Jacobite leaders to commit themselves. On 19 August, Charles raised his father’s standard at Glenfinnan.

The rising moved faster than the government expected. The Jacobites defeated Sir John Cope at Prestonpans, occupied Edinburgh and marched into England. They reached Derby in December before their commanders decided to retreat.

Charles landed without the military force his Scottish supporters had expected. His refusal to turn back allowed the rising to begin, but the campaign ended in defeat at Culloden in April 1746.