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88-569: The first Independent Companies are generally regarded to have been formed after the Union of the Crowns in 1603 when James VI of Scotland became James I of England . It was thought that firm rule from the centre was the only answer to the state of lawlessness that existed in the Highlands. The first policing company was known as the "King's Guard" and consisted only of mounted troops and performed

176-492: A Christian King under the Gospel, should be a polygamist and husband to two wives; that I being the head should have a divided or monstrous body or that being the shepherd to so fair a flock should have my flock parted in two. Parliament may very well have rejected polygamy; but the marriage, if marriage it was, between the realms of England and Scotland was to be morganatic at best. James's ambitions were greeted with horror from

264-444: A disappointing English one. The greatest and most obvious was the question of his exact status and title. In his first speech to his southern assembly on 19 March 1604 James gave a clear statement of the royal manifesto: What God hath conjoined let no man separate. I am the husband and the whole isle is my lawful wife; I am the head and it is my body; I am the shepherd and it is my flock. I hope therefore that no man will think that I,

352-508: A further four companies were added and the ten companies together were embodied to form the Earl of Crawford 's "Highland Regiment", numbered 43rd in the line , (a regiment of the line ). In September 1745, Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden , a staunch " whig ", was given a commission to raise twenty new Independent Highland Companies to oppose the Jacobite rising of 1745 . He succeeded in raising

440-414: A hundred thousand of them were there, for wee are all one Countrymen now, yee know; and wee shoulde finde ten times more comfort of them there, then wee do here. Anti-English satires proliferated, and in 1609, the king had an act passed that promised the direst penalties against the writers of "pasquillis, libellis, rymis, cockalanis, comedies and sicklyk occasiones whereby they slander and maligne and revile

528-675: A kingdom in name, but since 1601, a subject nation in practice. The asymmetric relationship between Scotland and England had been evident for at least a decade. In 1589, the Spanish Armada shipwreck survivor Francisco de Cuellar sought refuge in Scotland, as he had heard the Scottish king "protected all the Spaniards who reached his kingdom, clothed them, and gave them passages to Spain". However, following his six-month ordeal within

616-655: A mass scale. In 1708, Fraser, Lord Lovat , claimed that the companies had managed to control most of the robbery. In 1707, the Grant Independent Company was ordered to watch the north-east coast for James's expected landing but that did not take place so they returned to their normal duties of law-keeping in the Highland areas. By 1715, the names of the commanders of the three Independent Highland Companies were recorded as Colonels Campbell, Grant, and Munro (Colonel Munro having replaced Duncan Mackenzie). It

704-426: A mood of high expectation. The twilight years of Elizabeth had been a disappointment, and for a nation troubled for so many years by the question of succession, the new king was a family man who already had male heirs waiting in the wings. But James's honeymoon was of very short duration, and his initial political actions were to do much to create the rather negative tone, which was to turn a successful Scottish king into

792-518: A notable success at the Skirmish of Tongue , where money and supplies destined for the Jacobite cause were captured from a French ship, and 156 Jacobites were taken prisoner. In response the Jacobite commander, Charles Edward Stuart , sent a large Jacobite force north under the command of George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie . They arrived too late to be of any use and were attacked by surprise by

880-424: A number of contenders. The two elected were both Stewarts as were the commanders of the earlier King’s Guard. The appointment of paid and professional soldiers was a major change in trying to control the law and was continued after the death of King James in 1625. During this early period up to the restoration of Charles II of England in 1660 was when most of the great Highland robbers were active. The activities of

968-622: A result, in 1701, two Independent Highland Companies were formed; one from Clan Campbell , commanded by Captain Alexander Campbell of Fonab and the other from Clan Grant , commanded by Captain William Grant. Both companies were ordered to assist the courts of justice in preventing thefts and to apprehend guilty persons. The Independent Companies were not numerous enough in terms of men and patrols to be effective in monitoring and controlling widespread trouble. Seeing this problem,

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1056-810: A small group of the Independent Highland Companies took part when they joined the Argyll militia in delivering devastating musket fire on the flank of the Jacobite right. According to Pollard it was a company from Loudon's Highlanders regiment that had joined the Campbell of Argyll militia in delivering the flanking musketry fire. In the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden some of the MacLeod and MacDonald Independent Highland Companies were sent to capture Prince Charlie but failed to do so and it

1144-470: A total of eighteen Independent Highland Companies. The men were drawn from the respective clans of their commanders. Many clansmen although not related to their chief adopted the chief’s surname as their own. For example, 59 out of 93 men listed by David Dobson in George Munro of Culcairn’s company in 1745, had the surname Munro. The commanders of each of the 18 Independent Highland Companies are given in

1232-656: A variety of tasks connected with keeping the law. The first of two notable actions carried out by the King’s Guard was in 1605 when they were used in Lord Scone ’s expedition to the Western Isles in order to bring in some order and to bring the local chiefs to heel in terms of tax payment. After further futile attempts by James to pacify the Highlands the King’s Guard was used once more this time in 1608 led by Andrew Stewart, Lord Ochiltree and Andrew Knox , Bishop of

1320-591: Is not known exactly how the Independent Companies featured in the rising of 1715; however, there are unsubstantiated reports that a portion of the Grant and Munro companies actually fought at the Battle of Sheriffmuir . It is clear, however, that the Independent Companies played an active part before and after the battle. Colonel Sir Robert Munro, 6th Baronet was for a time governor of Inverness, and forced

1408-646: Is the more populous and industrialised part of Scotland compared to the sparsely populated Highlands. Culturally, the Lowlands and the Highlands diverged from the Late Middle Ages into the modern period , when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands. Geographically, Scotland is divided into three distinct areas: the Highlands , the Central plain ( Central Belt , in

1496-650: The Central Lowlands . However, in normal usage it refers to those parts of Scotland not in the Highlands (or Gàidhealtachd ). The boundary is usually considered to be a line between Stonehaven and Helensburgh (on the Firth of Clyde ). The Lowlands lie south and east of the line. Some parts of the Lowlands (such as the Southern Uplands ) are not physically "low", Merrick for example reaching 2,766 feet (843 m), while some areas indisputably in

1584-562: The Central Lowlands ), and the Southern Uplands . The Lowlands cover roughly the latter two. The northeast plain is also "low-land", both geographically and culturally, but in some contexts may be grouped together with the Highlands. The Lowlands is not an official geographical or administrative area of the country. There are two main topographic regions: the Lowlands and the Southern Uplands . The term "Lowlands" mainly refers to

1672-467: The Clan Grant and Clan Munro . The Munros were a very staunch " Whig " clan and their Independent Company under the command of George Munro of Culcairn guided the government forces through the mountains and up the slopes of Glen Shiel . The Battle of Glen Shiel took place on 10 June 1719 and lasted for three hours, but the superior fire power of the government grenadiers and the aggressive forays of

1760-671: The Clan MacNeacail . He was opposed by General Hugh Mackay who was himself a Highlander and a Gaelic speaker. Mackay had gained considerable military experience on the continent in the Scots Brigade in Dutch Service. Mackay’s force consisted of one battalion from each of the three regiments of the Dutch Brigade as well as Hasting’s Leven’s regiment which later became the 25th Regiment of Foot and then renamed

1848-523: The Disarming Act of 1716 had left the clans loyal to the government virtually defenceless against pillage and robbery. Whig clans had conformed to the act but Jacobite clans had either chosen to ignore it or hand in weaponry which was obsolete, broken, or of little use. In 1725, Field Marshal George Wade was appointed Commander of the Forces of North Britain and he gave instructions to re-establish

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1936-620: The Earl of Atholl to raise a force of Highlanders to keep the peace in the Highlands and to "keep watch upon the braes". Over the next 70 years a number of Independent Highland Companies were raised and then disbanded as was the demand by the political and military situation. Some of the commanders such as the Earl of Argyll and the Earl of Caithness used the companies almost exclusively for their own needs. Charles later decided that he could not afford to maintain these two Independent Companies and that they should be disbanded. They were in fact added to

2024-547: The Earl of Mar ’s regular regiment, the 21st foot (which later became the Royal Scots Fusiliers ). These two companies now under the Earl of Mar’s regiment were captained by Kenneth Mackenzie of Suddie and Alexander Cairnes. Kenneth Mackenzie of Suddie was later killed whilst leading his Independent Company of government troops by order of the Privy Council at the Battle of Mulroy in 1688 in support of

2112-459: The Earl of Tullibardine offered to raise a company of 800 men but said that he would not let anyone by the name of Campbell serve in it and as a result his offer was turned down. A third company of just over 50 men was eventually raised in 1704, commanded by Duncan Mackenzie. The three companies are recorded on the army strength from 1705 up until 1707, when the Acts of Union 1707 was passed. However,

2200-574: The King's Own Scottish Borderers . Aside from these regular troops Mackay also had the support of an Independent Highland Company from the Clan Menzies which was led by their clan chief, Captain Robert Menzies. In the ensuing Battle of Killiecrankie , Mackay’s forces were defeated and there are various reasons and accounts given to this by different historians. The Menzies Independent Company

2288-663: The "Midland Valley". This area mainly encompasses the basins of the Rivers Forth and Clyde , and houses approximately 80 percent of Scotland's population (3.5 million in the Central Belt ). Historically, the Midland Valley has been Scotland's most agriculturally productive region. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, it experienced significant industrialisation and urbanisation, driven by coal deposits. While coal mining and heavy industry have declined ever since,

2376-552: The "middle shires". Free trade proved contentious, as did the issue of equal rights before the law. Fears were openly expressed in the Westminster Parliament that English jobs would be threatened by all the poor people of the realm of Scotland, who will "draw near to the Sonn, and flocking hither in such Multitudes, that death and dearth is very probable to ensue". The exact status of the post nati , those born after

2464-488: The 2nd Sutherland Company under the command of Ensign John Mackay and also the 2nd Mackay Company. This was known as the Battle of Littleferry where the Jacobite force was completely defeated, losing about 100 dead, and was prevented from providing much needed support to the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden that took place the next day and which they would have been late for anyway. On 14 April 1746, two days before

2552-658: The 3rd Mackenzie Independent Company, bringing their total number of men to 1300. Others of Loudon's regiment escaped to the lands of the Mackays in the far north of Sutherland. On 25 March 1746, the 1st Mackay Independent Company under Captain George Mackay , 2nd Mackay Independent Company under Captain Hugh Mackay, one of the Sutherland Companies and some refugees of Loudon's Highlanders regiment had

2640-488: The Battle of Culloden, the Munro Independent Company and the 1st Sutherland Independent Company joined up with Prince William, Duke of Cumberland at Nairn . These two companies had been fighting with groups of Highlanders who were trying to join up with Prince Charlie at Inverness . During the Battle of Culloden, on 16 April the Independent Highland Companies (1st Sutherland) were kept in reserve, and

2728-647: The Clan MacLeod led 500 men of the MacLeod Independent Highland Companies at the Battle of Inverurie (1745) where they were defeated by a numerically superior Jacobite force. The following February the Siege of Inverness (1746) took place where the Grant and Ross Independent Highland Companies surrendered Inverness Castle , again to a numerically superior Jacobite force. On 20 March 1746 Loudon's Highlanders regiment along with

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2816-550: The Clan Mackenzie and four from the Clan MacLeod of Skye, two clans who had supported the Jacobite cause in both the 1715 and 1719 risings but who now showed firm allegiance to the Hanoverian Government. The Clan Sinclair had Jacobite sympathies, and as a result were not offered a company. The Independent Highland Companies took a very active part in the Jacobite rising of 1745. One of their first actions

2904-502: The Countrey ... is too good for those that possesse yt, and too bad for others to be at the charge of conquering yt. The ayre might be wholesome, but for the stincking people that inhabit yt ... Their beasts be generallie small (women excepted) of which sort there are no greater in the world. A wounding observation came in the comedy Eastward Ho , a collaboration between Ben Jonson , George Chapman and John Marston . In enthusing over

2992-510: The Crowns ( Scottish Gaelic : Aonadh nan Crùintean ; Scots : Union o the Crouns ) was the accession of James VI of Scotland to the throne of the Kingdom of England as James I and the practical unification of some functions (such as overseas diplomacy) of the two separate realms under a single individual on 24 March 1603. It followed the death of James's cousin, Elizabeth I of England ,

3080-491: The English parliament who feared the loss of the ancient and famous name of England. Legal objections were raised, with legal opinion at the time being that a union would end all established laws of both countries. For James, whose experience of parliaments was limited to the stage-managed and semi-feudal Scottish variety, the self-assurance — and obduracy — of the English version, which had long experience of upsetting monarchs,

3168-477: The English side were concerned by the dynastic implications of matrimony, including some Privy Councillors . In countering these fears Henry VII is reputed to have said: our realme wald receive na damage thair thorow, for in that caise Ingland wald not accress unto Scotland, bot Scotland wald acress unto Ingland, as to the most noble heid of the hole yle...evin as quhan Normandy came in the power of Inglis men our forbearis. The peace did not last in "perpetuity"; it

3256-670: The English throne. Strategic fortresses were put on alert, with London placed under guard. English agents including Thomas Chaloner were advising James in Edinburgh on forms of government. Elizabeth died in the early hours of 24 March. Within eight hours, James was proclaimed king in London, with the news received without protest or disturbance. On 5 April 1603, James left Edinburgh for London and promised to return every three years, which he failed to keep by returning only once, in 1617. He progressed slowly from town to town to arrive in

3344-465: The Government. Lawlessness was still a problem, with many clans believing that it was quite righteous to steal or to "drive a spreaigh". Many chiefs had the spirit of adventure and saw it as excellent training for more war-like activities. Due to poor harvests, crime sometimes went beyond the normal cattle rustling, and people were killed or kidnapped for money and attacks were made on large houses. As

3432-565: The Grant company disarmed clansmen at Ruthven in Badenoch . After 1717, the Independent Highland Companies were reduced and security in the Highlands was left to regular troops who were garrisoned at Fort William , Fort Augustus and Ruthven Barracks . Highland soldiers were mixed in with the regular troops to act as guides and to maintain the peace. They were also tasked with making sure that Highlanders did not rise in arms again. These soldiers did not form Independent Companies in any sense and

3520-531: The Highlands (such as Islay ) are low-lying. For other purposes, the boundary varies; but if the Boundary Fault is used, then the traditional Scottish counties entirely in the Lowlands are Ayrshire , Berwickshire , Clackmannanshire , Dumfriesshire , East Lothian , Fife , Kinross-shire , Kirkcudbrightshire , Lanarkshire , Midlothian , Peeblesshire , Renfrewshire , Roxburghshire , Selkirkshire , West Lothian , and Wigtownshire . Prior to 1921,

3608-616: The Independent Companies was then considered of little significance when compared with the battles and extraordinary feats of the forces under James Graham, 1st Marquis of Montrose during the Scottish Civil War in 1644–1645. Even before the restoration of 1660 the Cromwellians under General George Monk had to resort to local clan watches to try and resolve situations. For example, even the Clan Cameron who had been

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3696-591: The Independent Highland Companies had been reduced significantly and within six months after the Battle of Culloden they had been disbanded completely. In 1760, commissions were given to raise five Independent Highland Companies under the following Captains: Colin Graham of Drainie, James Cuthbert of Milncraigs, Peter Gordon of Knockespick, Ludovic Grant of Rothiemurchus and Robert Campbell of Ballivolin. They were recruited up to strength and remained in training in Perth until

3784-492: The Independent Highland Companies. These instructions had come from King George I to raise six companies, which took place through 1729. The first three companies were commanded by William Grant of Ballindalloch; Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat; and Sir Duncan Campbell of Lochnell. These three companies each had 100 men. The next three companies only had 75 men each and were commanded by Alexander Campbell of Finab, John Campbell of Carrick, and George Munro of Culcairn. Wade tightened up

3872-610: The Isles in an attempt to obtain effective guarantees backed by royal authority. In 1624, a meeting of the Privy Council of Scotland was called which included 36 landlord clan chiefs along with 21 members of the Privy Council in order to discuss troubles caused by the Clan Gregor such as cattle lifting, kidnapping and general mayhem that was taking place. The outcome of the meeting was to elect two Highland Captaincies from

3960-717: The King that they injured and hurt one another". James's English coronation took place on 25 July though the festivities had to be restricted because of an outbreak of the plague. A Royal Entry featuring elaborate allegories provided by dramatic poets such as Thomas Dekker and Ben Jonson was deferred until 15 March 1604, when all London turned out for the occasion: "The streets seemed paved with men", wrote Dekker, "Stalls instead of rich wares were set out with children, open casements filled up with women". Whatever residual fears that many in England may have felt, James's arrival aroused

4048-855: The Lowlands. Many ancestors of the Scotch-Irish , as they are known in the United States, or Ulster-Scots , originated from the lowlands and borders region before migrating to the Ulster Plantation in the 17th century and later the American frontier , many prior to the American Revolution . The term Scottish Lowlands is used with reference to the Scots language in contrast to the Scottish Gaelic spoken in

4136-485: The MacLeod Independent Highland Companies were routed by a surprise Jacobite attack coordinated by James Drummond, 3rd Duke of Perth at Dornoch . 300 of Loudon's regiment were taken prisoner but the majority, 900 in all, escaped to the Isle of Skye including the commanders; John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun , Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden and Norman MacLeod. There they were reinforced by Alexander MacDonald of Sleat and

4224-523: The Midland Valley's economic importance endures. Today, it remains a central hub of the Scottish economy, with a focus on electronics, computer manufacturing, and service sectors like telecommunications, computer software, and finance. The southernmost counties of Scotland, nearest the Anglo-Scottish border , are also known as the Borders . They are sometimes considered separately from the rest of

4312-591: The Munro company had already returned north. Eight companies of other Highland infantry did take part in the fighting at Culloden for the Government; 4 from the Campbell of Argyll Militia , 3 from Loudon's Highlanders under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John Campbell and one from the Earl of Crawford's Highland Regiment under the command of Captain Dugald Campbell of Auchrossan. According to Scobie, only

4400-531: The Munros won the day for the Hanoverian government. The Munro Independent Company proved again how important it was to know the land and how to fight effectively against their own countrymen. In 1724, Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat , wrote to George I of Great Britain stating that the disbandment of the Independent Highland Companies in 1717 had encouraged the lawless situation to run riot. He also stated that

4488-533: The Privy Council. The Council tended to switch between using the Independent Companies and the clans themselves. The companies were not numerous enough and did not have enough men in each company to deal with the fierce inter-clan rivalries. A start had been made in having paid troops, in local dress, speaking the same language as the native clansmen and who were keeping the peace to some extent. Scotland followed England in dethroning King James II (VII of Scotland) and replacing him with William III of Orange , whose wife

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4576-413: The Scottish Lowlands or to England as new recruits and could scarcely be regarded as true Independent Companies but were more like a recruitment agency for the British Army. There were no more Independent Highland Companies formed after 1763 but from those that had been before emerged the world-famous Highland regiments during the remainder of the 18th century. Union of the Crowns The Union of

4664-450: The Union of March 1603, was not decided by Parliament but in the courts by Calvin's Case (1608), which extended property rights to all the King's subjects in English common law and allowed them to bring cases before the courts. Scottish aristocrats and other placeseekers made their way to London to compete for high positions in government. In 1617, Sir Anthony Weldon wrote of the poverty of Scotland, as conceived by English courtiers:

4752-418: The acts had little effect on how the companies were paid, and they continued to form some defence against lawlessness and in preventing others from joining the Jacobite cause. King William died in 1702 which evoked much political turmoil with France and James Francis Edward Stuart ’s claim for the British throne. In the meantime, the Independent Highland Companies were kept busy trying to stop cattle lifting on

4840-473: The ancient laws and liberties of Scotland ; for any such hurt would mean that "it culd no more be a frie monarchie". James attempted to reassure his new English subjects that the new union would be much like that between England and Wales and that if Scotland should refuse, "he would compel their assents, having a stronger party there than the opposite party of the mutineers". In October 1604 English and Scottish MP's were appointed as commissioners to explore

4928-467: The ane kingdome, to great honor and beccome forȝetfull of the uther, sua to mak the samyn altogidder solitat and desoltat qhilk cannot stand vith your Majestie's honor. As god hes heichlie advanceit your Majestie lett Scotland qhilk is ȝour auldest impyir be partakeris of ȝour blissings. Those fears were echoed by the Scottish Parliament, whose members were telling the King that they were "confident" that his plans for an incorporating union would not prejudice

5016-421: The capital after Elizabeth's funeral. Local lords received James with lavish hospitality along the route, and James's new subjects flocked to see him and were relieved above all that the succession had triggered neither unrest nor invasion. As James entered London, he was mobbed. The crowds of people, one observer reported, were so great that "they covered the beauty of the fields; and so greedy were they to behold

5104-401: The chief of Clan Mackintosh against the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch and the Clan Cameron. Following on from Mulroy, King James II of England (VII of Scotland) made a decision to secure peace throughout both the Scottish Highlands and Scottish Lowlands . The main chiefs were asked to supply a certain number of men each and their composition is given in the following table. The period between

5192-434: The counties of East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian were known as Haddingtonshire, Edinburghshire, and Linlithgowshire. Traditional Scottish counties which straddle the Boundary fault include Angus , Dunbartonshire , Stirlingshire , Perthshire , Kincardineshire , Aberdeenshire , Banffshire , and Moray . The term "Lowlands" is sometimes used to refer specifically to the " Central Lowlands ", an area also known as

5280-443: The creation of a perfect union. James closed the final session of his first parliament with a rebuke to his opponents in the House of Commons: "Here all things suspected.... He merits to be buried in the bottom of the sea that shall but think of separation, where God had made such a Union". The Union Commission made some limited progress, on discrete issues such as hostile border laws, trade and citizenship. The borders were to become

5368-505: The discipline and training of the Independent Companies and warned the captains that any breach of financial dealings, which had previously been reported, would be severely dealt with. In 1738, Wade reviewed the six Independent Highland Companies who by this time were known as Am Freiceadan Dubh or Black Watch . It has been suggested that this name came from their sombre dress which distinguished them from Lowland and English soldiers who were known as Seidaran Dearag (Red Soldiers). In 1739,

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5456-453: The end of 1761 when they were added to the Keith and Campbell Highlanders regiment. In 1762 another Highland regiment of 600 men was raised, and named the 101st Johnstone Highlanders . It was due to go to Portugal to fight under John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun but peace negotiations prevented this. During the Seven Years’ War a number of unidentified Independent Highland Companies were raised but were almost immediately sent south to

5544-420: The estait and countrey of England..." In October 1605 Nicolò Molin , the Venetian ambassador in London, noted that "the question of the Union will, I am assured, be dropped; for His Majesty is now well aware that nothing can be effected, both sides displaying such obstinacy that an accommodation is impossible; and so his Majesty is resolved to abandon the question for the present, in hope that time may consume

5632-402: The foreigners', pronounced [ə ˈɣauɫ̪t̪əxk] ) is a cultural and historical region of Scotland . The region is characterised by its relatively flat or gently rolling terrain as opposed to the mountainous landscapes of the Scottish Highlands . This area includes cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow and is known for its fertile farmland, historic sites, and urban centres. It

5720-421: The good life to be had in the Colony of Virginia , it is observed: And then you shal live freely there, without Sergeants, or Courtiers, or Lawyers, or Intelligencers – onely a few industrious Scots perhaps, who indeed are disperst over the face of the whole earth. But as for them, there are no greater friends of Englishmen and England, when they are out an't, in the world, then they are. And for my part, I would

5808-448: The ill-humours". King James devised new coats of arms and a uniform coinage. The creation of a national flag proved contentious, designs acceptable to one side typically offending the other. James finally proclaimed the new Union Flag on 12 April 1606: Scots who saw in it a St George's Cross superimposed upon a St Andrew's Saltire sought to create their own 'Scotch' design, which saw the reverse superimposition take place. (that design

5896-544: The kingdom, he concluded "the King of Scotland is nobody: nor does he possess the authority or position of a king: and he does not move a step, nor eat a mouthful, that is not by order of the Queen ( Elizabeth I )". John Russell , lawyer and writer, an initial enthusiast for "the happie and blissed Unioun betuixt the tua ancienne realmes of Scotland and Ingland" was later to warn James: Lett it not begyne vith ane comedie, and end in ane tragedie; to be ane verball unioun in disparitie nor reall in conformity... hairby, to advance

5984-420: The last monarch of the Tudor dynasty . The union was personal or dynastic , with the Crown of England and the Crown of Scotland remaining both distinct and separate despite James's best efforts to create a new imperial throne. England and Scotland continued as two separate states sharing a monarch, who directed their domestic and foreign policies, along with Ireland , until the Acts of Union of 1707 during

6072-403: The middle of Henry's reign, the problems of the royal succession, which seemed so unimportant in 1503, acquired ever larger dimensions, when the question of Tudor fertility or the lack thereof entered directly into the political arena. Margaret's line was excluded from the English succession though during the reign of Elizabeth I , concerns were once again raised. In the last decade of her reign it

6160-409: The most staunch supporters of the Stewarts formed an Independent Company to help General Monk subdue the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry . After the restoration King Charles II raised several Independent Highland Companies. In 1666 he allowed the Earl of Argyll to raise a company or "watch" of 60 men for one year for the purpose of guarding his territory. In the following year Charles gave a warrant to

6248-412: The non-professional local militia companies who also supported the Government but who were less cohesively organized. The task of raising the above Independent Highland Companies had been made difficult in that the Secretary of War had said that three companies should be raised from the Clan Munro due to their loyalty. Forbes however ignored this and only raised one Munro company while raising three from

6336-565: The poet William Dunbar in The Thrissil and the Rois . The marriage was the outcome of the Treaty of Perpetual Peace , concluded the previous year, which, in theory, ended centuries of Anglo-Scottish war. The marriage brought Scotland's Stuarts into England's Tudor line of succession , despite the improbability of a Scottish prince acceding the English throne at the time. However, many on

6424-529: The rebel Mackenzies to give up their arms at Brahan Castle . Munro along with parties of Grants, Rosses, and Mackays also forced the surrender of the Earl of Seaforth . Colonel Grant played a lesser role; he established a garrison at Brahan and captured Gordon Castle , holding it until he was relieved by regular troops. Colonel Sir Robert Munro along with his younger brother Captain George Munro of Culcairn also accepted arms given up at Blair Atholl , while

6512-589: The reign of the last Stuart monarch , Anne . However, there was a republican interregnum in the 1650s, during which the Tender of Union of Oliver Cromwell created the Commonwealth of England and Scotland which ended with the Stuart Restoration . In August 1503, James IV of Scotland married Margaret , eldest daughter of Henry VII of England , and the spirit of the new age was celebrated by

6600-577: The restoration of Charles II in 1660 and the Glorious Revolution of 1688 was amongst the most unruly and unlawful in the history of the Scottish Highlands. Many men lost land that they had previously farmed and if they were not accepted into another clan they were forced into a life of crime, including robbery and violence. There is no doubt that the Independent Companies helped to maintain order but they were never fully backed by

6688-522: The sentinels were often drawn from various sources including " broken " clans. In 1719, James Stuart had gained the support of Spain , and 330 regular Spanish soldiers made it to Scotland where they joined the Clan Cameron , Clan MacGregor under Rob Roy MacGregor , Clan Mackenzie , and some Atholl men. They faced government forces under Major-General Wightman, who had fought at Sheriffmuir. He had under his command 850 regular infantry, 120 dragoons, and some hastily mustered Independent Company men drawn from

6776-412: The succession upon the queen but simply to treat her with kindness and respect. The approach proved effective: "I trust that you will not doubt", Elizabeth wrote to James, "but that your last letters are so acceptably taken as my thanks cannot be lacking for the same, but yield them you in grateful sort". In March 1603, with the queen clearly dying, Cecil sent James a draft proclamation of his accession to

6864-405: The table below in order of the company’s completion. In some of the companies not all of the officers are of the clan name of their company. This table does not include regular regiments of the line who were also drawn from the Highlands at this time such as Loudon's Highlanders and the Earl of Crawford's Highland Regiment . The semi-professional independent companies are also often confused with

6952-425: Was a Stuart princess, in what was known as the Glorious Revolution of 1688. A Jacobite rising in favour of James broke out in 1689 led by John Graham, 1st Viscount Dundee who had scraped together an army of 1000 men, mainly from the Highland clans such as Clan Cameron , Clan MacGregor , Clan MacDonald of Keppoch , Clan MacDonald of Sleat , Clan MacDonald of Clanranald , MacDonald of Glencoe , Clan MacLean and

7040-504: Was an obvious shock. He decided to side-step the whole issue by unilaterally assuming the title of King of Great Britain by a Proclamation concerning the Kings Majesties Stile on 20 October 1604 announcing that he did "assume to Our selfe by the cleerenesse of our Right, The Name and Stile of KING OF GREAT BRITTAINE, FRANCE AND IRELAND, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, &c." . This only deepened the offence. Even in Scotland there

7128-401: Was clear to all that James VI of Scotland , great-grandson of James IV and Margaret, was the only generally acceptable heir. From 1601, in the last years of Elizabeth I's life, certain English politicians, notably her chief minister, Sir Robert Cecil , maintained a secret correspondence with James to prepare in advance for a smooth succession. Cecil advised James not to press the matter of

7216-499: Was commanded by Major George Wishart and also included 100 sentinals. His lieutenant was Alexander Ross. The third company was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Lumsdaine. The fourth was commanded by Hugh Mackaye and the fifth by Archibald Murray. These companies were used until 1694 and were attached to regular units. At the beginning of the 18th century, there was a split within the clan system. Some clans had Jacobite tendencies while others favoured " Whig " principles and supported

7304-601: Was disturbed in 1513 when Henry VIII of England , who had succeeded his father four years before, declared war on France in the War of the League of Cambrai . In response France invoked the terms of the Auld Alliance , her ancient bond with Scotland. James duly invaded Northern England leading to the Battle of Flodden . In the decades that followed, England repeatedly invaded Scotland , including burning its capital . By

7392-646: Was later present at the Battle of Cromdale in 1690 where the Jacobites were defeated. Troops from England and the Scottish Lowlands did not like serving in the Scottish Highlands and in view of this five Independent Highland Companies were raised over a twenty-month period from February 1691. The first of which began mustering in February of that year was commanded by Major George Munro, 1st of Newmore and included two lieutenants, one ensign, six non-commissioned officers and 100 sentinals. The second company

7480-418: Was later reported that they were not too anxious to find him either. Much of the "mopping up" work after Culloden was left to the Argyll militia and the Independent Companies who are said to have committed atrocities against their own relations and fellow clansmen. However, many other reports deny this saying that the Independent Companies did not have the stomach for crushing the embers of rebellion. By June 1746

7568-417: Was little real enthusiasm for the project, though the two parliaments were eventually prodded into taking the whole matter 'under consideration'. Consider it they did for several years, never drawing the desired conclusion. In Scotland there were early signs that many saw the risk of the "lesser being drawn by the greater", as Henry VII once predicted. An example before Scottish eyes was the case of Ireland ,

7656-454: Was used in Scotland until 1707). For years afterwards, vessels of the two nations continued to fly their respective "flags", the royal proclamation notwithstanding. The Union Flag entered into common use only under Cromwell's Protectorate . Scottish Lowlands The Lowlands ( Scots : Lallans or Lawlands , pronounced [ˈlɑːlən(d)z, ˈlo̜ːl-] ; Scottish Gaelic : a' Ghalldachd , lit.   'place of

7744-519: Was when 600 men of the Grant, two Sutherland, Munro and Mackay companies fought in the Siege of Fort Augustus (December 1745) . The fort was liberated from the Clan Fraser of Lovat who by this time were largely Jacobites. In 1740, Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat had been stripped of his Independent Company of Frasers by Wade, and he later said that this was the main reason why he had joined the Jacobites. On 23 December 1745, Norman MacLeod , chief of

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