Jacobite History and The Pitsligo Castle Trust

Jacobitism is the term given to the political movement, established in the late 17th century which was dedicated to the restoration of the Stewart dynasty to the thrones of Scotland, England and Ireland following the effective removal of James VII and II by the London Government in 1688 in what became known as the ‘Glorious Revolution’.

Jacobite is the name given to a supporter of the Stewart cause. The name derives from the Latin for James, Jacobus, and therefore relates directly to James VII and II who came to the thrones of Scotland, England and Ireland in 1685 following the death of his brother Charles II.

James was a devout Catholic who believed in the divine right to govern. During his short reign he showed excessive favour to Catholics by placing many in high public office, something which did not endear him to the now largely Protestant establishment and country.

Although initially there was no great rush to have James removed this changed when his wife Marie Beatrix of Modena gave birth to a son. With a new heir to continue the dynasty the government moved to encourage William of Orange, who was married to James’ daughter Mary to ‘invade’. This he did and when he arrived at Brixham on the 5th November 1688 James fled to France. So began the ‘cause’ for the restoration of the Stewarts which was ultimately ended at Culloden on 16th April 1746.

In 1690 James returned from France to Ireland, to raise an army and plan his restoration. Before any real progress was made on these fronts James was defeated by William of Orange at the Battle of the Boyne in the July of that year.

James returned to France and on to Italy where he died in 1710.

The young heir, James Edward was raised in Italy and was recognised by the Catholic Courts of France, Spain and Modena and the Pope as James VIII & III (the Old Pretender). He had two sons Prince Charles Edward (the Young Pretender) and Henri who became Cardinal, Duke of York. The subsequent struggle by both James VIII and III and Prince Charles Edward to regain the throne of Great Britain marked a heroic and desperate time in Scottish (and British) history which ultimately led to a mass migration from Scotland to the four corners of the world.

The centre to be developed in the former kirk is not designed to romantise the Jacobites and their perennial attraction but rather to tell the story of this period in an unbiased way which attempts to unravel the truth from the myths and misrepresentations, if that is possible.

It is also intended that the unfolding story shall illustrate the support which North East families gave to both sides and the sacrifices which resulted.

A vision for the Jacobite History centre is that it becomes a place for Scots, home and abroad to visit and to feel a sense of ownership and peace.