Battle of Dunkeld

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The Battle of Dunkeld was fought between Highland clans supporting King James VII of Scotland and a government regiment of covenanters supporting William of Orange, in the streets around Dunkeld Cathedral, Dunkeld, Scotland, on August 21, 1689, and formed part of the first Jacobite rising.

Following the death of Viscount Dundee in the Jacobite victory at the Battle of Killiecrankie the Highlanders were led on the field of battle by Colonel Cannon. With the Scottish Privy council preparing to leave Scotland, the newly formed Cameronian regiment, 1200 men, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Cleland, moved north from Perth to meet the advancing Jacobites.

Dunkeld was not protected by a town wall, so Cleland ordered his troops to take up defensive positions in the cathedral, and the nearby house of the Marquis of Atholl. The Jacobites took up positions in neighbouring houses, and a four hour of exchange of musket fire ensued. Having exhausted their own munitions, the Cameronians are reported to have stripped lead from the cathedral roof to keep up their fire.

The battle was brought to an end by a group of Cameronians charging the Jacobite defenses and setting them alight. The Jacobites routed, having lost around 300 men. Losses on the government side are unclear, but included Colonel Cleland, who is buried in the cathedral.