Largest Tartan Exhibition

The largest exhibition about Tartan ever curated is about being held at the V&A Dundee. Starting on Saturday 1st April 2023 it runs for 10 months.


Falkirk Muir 1746 Trust is pleased to lend our support to the V&A by lending several items from our collection.


One such item it is our 'Harlequin' portrait which depicts Prince Charles Edward Stuart wearing a tartan suit.


The portrait is attributed to artist James Worsdale (London 1692 -1767 London) and was probably painted in the 1750s.

It is clear from the fanciful depictions of tartan that the artist had not actually seen anybody wearing tartan. The resulting portrait of the Prince maskes look more like a Harlequin rather than a Highlander.

Even though Charles' suit of clothes will look unfamiliar to most Scots, there is no mistaking the Scottish basket hilted broadsword, dirk, targe, Scottish pistol and blue bonnet with a white cockade. There is even a depiction of a Scottish castle in the background.


There is a note on the back of the frame to say that it originally hung at The Abbey at Fort Augustus. Fort Augustus was the last Highland fort razed by the Jacobite army before their defeat at Culloden.


In order to make the portrait look it's best the portrait has been away getting cleaned and conserved. It has had the old yellowed varnish and previous paint repairs removed. Any missing paint has been touched in and a new coat of varnish applied.


The frame, that is contemporary with the portrait, has also been cleaned and partially reguilded. The style of frame is known as a 'Kent' frame.


The last image shows the portrait before cleaning. The first three images show the newly cleaned portrait which has made the tartan suit far more vibrant.

Video Detailing The Battle

by Roddy Tulloch • 6 February 2021
We are pleased to shared a wonderful video detailing The Battle of Falkirk Muir created by Deborah Dennison. For a few minutes, go back to the '45 and find out what happened in the dramatic story of the events which led to the battle, the battle itself, and the men who participated in it. The video also explains more about the new museum and the rare and fascinating artefacts that visitors will be able to see. Find our exciting video here !

Happy 261st Birthday Rabbie

by Roddy Tulloch • 25 January 2021
After the Battle of Culloden, which marked the end of the last Jacobite rising, the traditional clan system was almost completely dismantled. This was a result of the actions of the British Army, commanded by the Duke of Cumberland, and legislation passed by the British Government in London. Despite this bloodletting Scotland became a centre for the Arts and Science. Many of the worlds leading doctors, architects, economists, writers, philosophers and poets lived in Scotland in the second half of the 18th century. One such individual was Rabbie Burns (Alloway 1759 - 1796 Dumfries) who has become Scotland's national bard. As three of the Jacobite risings, the '45, 1719 and the '15, were still within living memory when Rabbie was born it was perhaps inevitable that these events would influence his poetry. Rabbies' poem 'Ye Jacobites by name' testifies to this. The finely bound book (displayed in the images below) of Burns' 'Poems chiefly in the Scottish dialect' is a first Edinburgh edition which was printed in 1787. The images show the poem 'to a Haggis' which will be told the world over tonight.

Battle of Falkirk Muir 275th Anniversary

17 January 2021
Happy 261st Birthday Rabbie At 3.30pm on a cold and very wet Friday afternoon 275 years ago the Jacobite forces of Prince Charles Edward Stuart and those of the British Army under the command of General Hawley met in combat over the rolling fields of South Bantaskine. After 90 minutes of brutal hand to hand fighting it is estimated that approximately 400 British soldiers and 100 Jacobite were left dead on the battle field. This wreath is our way to show these fallen the respect that all these men deserve.

Big Jacobite Afternoon Lecture

by Roddy Tulloch • 14 January 2021
We are delighted to be taking part in the Big Jacobite Afternoon Lecture hosted by Bannockburn House. J oin us from 12-2pm to hear from 6 speakers who are all giving short talks on a range of subject matters relating to the Jacobite movement.

Facebook Official!

12 January 2021
We are excited to say we are now officially on Facebook. Click here to like and follow our updates!

Trust is Commissioning a Video

by Roddy Tulloch • 31 December 2020
The Trust has now commissioned a promotional video which will explain not only our project but also the history of Falkirk Muir. Once this video is ready it will be published on our website.

Trust Commissioned Painting

by Roddy Tulloch • 8 November 2020
The Trust has commissioned Chris Collingwood to create a unique painting that will depict a scene from the Battle of Falkirk Muir that we will be able to use for our publicity and fundraising drives. The painting will be large measuring 32'' x 46'' and it should be completed in the spring of next year. It will replace the much used David Morier's painting of 'an incident in the rebellion of 1745' that is currently shown on our Battle web site. Chris has specialised on this type of painting since the 1980s indeed one of his paintings was used in 1985 for a jigsaw depicting the Battle of Falkirk Muir. The link below will take you to his web site which will show you the type of painting he currently has for sale. www.collingwoodhistoricart.com

Virtual Museum is Underway

by Roddy Tulloch • 1 November 2020
We now have 14 items available to view and learn about in our virtual museum . More items are added weekly and you can s ign up to get alerts when we add more items.

Funding Prospectus

15 June 2020
We are delighted to announce that our funding prospectus has now been published. This provides detail about the project and impressions of what the building will look like. This document can be accessed by click here . If anybody would like to provide feedback, get involved or to ask any questions please contact us via email@falkirkmuir1746.scot .

We are very sad to announce the passing of our Trustee Mr David Wood

8 May 2020
I am are truly sad to have to announce that I received the awful news that Mr David Wood has passed away. I know that David was passionate about Jacobite history and excited about being involved in this project. Our thoughts and condolences at this time go out to his friends and relatives. Roddy Tulloch Trustee
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