April 15th 2024.
In a recent excavation at the Culloden Battlefield, archaeologists have made an exciting discovery of new artefacts. Among the findings was a shoe buckle believed to have belonged to Donald Cameron of Lochiel, the hereditary chief of Clan Cameron who played a significant role in the 1745 Rising.
The research team, working in an area of about 60 square meters near the Government frontline, uncovered a fascinating variety of musket balls and grapeshot. One of the most interesting finds was a broken copper alloy buckle, which is believed to have belonged to the great clan chief himself. It is known that Donald Cameron led a regiment of 400 men at the Battle of Culloden and was a staunch Jacobite. He even marched with his regiment to Derby and back, despite being wounded at Culloden.
Despite his injuries, he managed to escape to France with Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746. Unfortunately, he passed away at the young age of 53 due to a stroke in northern France, just two years after the battle. He was given the nickname 'The Gentle Lochiel' after the Rising, for his efforts in preventing the Jacobite army from sacking the city of Glasgow.
Donald Cameron of Lochiel, the current chief of Clan Cameron, expressed his excitement about the discovery, stating that it adds to the legends surrounding his famous ancestor. He also noted that it aligns with the fact that the clan chief was injured by grapeshot in that very location at Culloden. However, the full story behind these artefacts may never be known, but it is intriguing to see that the battlefield is still producing such interesting discoveries even after so many years.
The recent findings were made just in time for the upcoming 278th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden, which took place on April 16th, 1746. It is said that during the battle, approximately 1600 men lost their lives in less than an hour. The head of archaeology at The National Trust for Scotland, Derek Alexander, explained that the grapeshot appeared to have hit something with great force, as one side of the lead ball was completely flattened. He also added that the ball weighed about four times that of a standard musket ball and had a striped impression on the flattened side, with a gouge and an angular cut.
In the same area, a flat copper alloy object was also discovered. It is believed to be a broken rectangular framed buckle for a strap, measuring about 26mm wide. The buckle is intricately decorated with cast beaded dots, plain lines and a central twisted-rope pattern. Its shape is similar to the flat, slightly-curved shoe buckles often seen in contemporary illustrations.
Derek Alexander further explained that the presence of both these artefacts in the same hole, only 20-30 meters from the British Army front line, is quite intriguing. It is likely that the grapeshot hit the shoe buckle and broke off one end, as the two items were found in such close proximity. This is a significant find, as one of the most well-known stories of the Jacobite charge at Culloden is the injury of Donald Cameron of Lochiel, also known as The Gentle Lochiel.
It is evident that the recent discoveries at the Culloden Battlefield have shed new light on the events that took place on that fateful day in 1746. These artefacts serve as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifices made by those who fought in the battle. To learn more about this and other news stories, subscribe to read the latest issue of Scottish Field.
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