Falkirk or Paradise: Source Material

Recently, local historian Geoff Bailey updated his landmark book Falkirk or Paradise, which has long been regarded as the definitive account of the Battle, by drawing on a large number of previously unknown contemporary letters providing eye-witness accounts of the events on that momentous day. This new edition was published in 2025.

The book can be purchased via our online shop (Online Shop) and Geoff has generously pledged to donate all proceeds from the sale of the book to the Trust.  

Geoff has also kindly shared the source material he used in his publication. The sources can be found via the links below (click blue file name to download as word doc):
  • Grosett to Justice clerk letter - Letter dated 15th January 1745 (1746). From Walter Grosett to Lord Justice Clerk. This document details the movement of both the Jacobite and Government forces round the Forth Estuary in the run up to the battle.
  • John Erskine to Customs Board letter - Letter dated 9th September 1745. From John Erskine to the Board of Customs.  Removal of boats from the sides of the River Forth in order to hinder the movement of the Jacobites.
  • Lady Kilmarnock to Justice Clerk (first) - Letter dated 12th February 1746. From Lady Anne Kilmarnock to Justice Clerk.  Written from Callendar House to Edinburgh pleading her loyalty to the Monarch.
  • Lady Kilmarnock to Justice Clerk (second) - Letter dated 22 March 1747. From Lady Anne Kilmarnock to Justice Clerk. Written from Kilmarnock to Edinburgh requesting help from the Justice Clerk to stop the authorities removing her estate revenue.
  • Mr Bennet Minister of Polmont - Information about the Jacobite forces given by Mr Bennet to General Hawley before the battle
  • Appin Regiment Daily Order Book - Appin Regiment daily orders for the period Tuesday 14th January 1746 until Saturday 18th January 1746
  • Jacobite Army Regiments - Jacobite army list of Regiments and numbers of soldiers
  • Bland to Albemarle - Letter dated 27 August 1746. From Major General Bland to Earl of Albermarle. Written from Stirling to Edinburgh describing the movement of prisoners and cattle
  • Letters x 12 (first) - Twelve letters written between 15 January 1746 to 2 February 1746. Lord George Murray x 5, Prince Charles x 3, Mr Maule x 2, Henry Hawley, Duke of Cumberland
  • Letters x 12 (second) - Twelve letters written between 23 October 1745 to 29 January 1746. Lord George Murray x 5, Duke of Atholl x 3, Oliphant, Robertson of Strowan, Kerr, Mercer

Geoff Bailey (pictured above)

Geoff Bailey is from Lancashire but has been the Keeper of Archaeology & Local History at Falkirk Museum since October 1984 and so covers every period of occupation in the area from the Mesolithic to the present day! To that end, Geoff has excavated everything from a Neolithic roundhouse to a Second World War air raid shelter. Geoff has also published several books and many articles. The book on the Battle of Falkirk was first published by John Donald in 1996 for the 250th anniversary.