In this week in Outlander history: Bonnie Prince Charlie sets foot on British soil

While this part of Outlander history wasn’t actually shown on the screen, it’s important for the overall storyline. After all, had Bonnie Prince Charlie never landed on the Isle of Eriskay, the Battle of Culloden would never have taken place.

Bonnie Prince Charlie landed on the Isle of Eriskay on July 23, 1745. This moment never became official Outlander history, but it is an important mention. Without the prince landing on British soil to start the final major Jacobite rebellion (and the last on British soil), James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser would never have headed to the Battle of Culloden.

Charles Edward Stuart landed at Eriskay with no French troops to back him up. Looking back, it really wasn’t that surprising that everything fell apart within the next 10 months. He didn’t have the backup needed to take on the British Army. There certainly wasn’t the confidence from the Highland chiefs seeing this prince with no army to back him up.

More from Outlander Fandom

• Why the Outlander coloring books make the perfect Christmas gift
• The Gathering 2024: What’s included in the Craigh na Dun tier?
• The Gathering 2024: What’s included in the Leoch tier?
• The Gathering 2024: What’s included in the Lallybroch tier?
• The Gathering 2024: What’s included in the Fraser’s Ridge tier?

All anyone had to do was look at the way Henry Tudor could have failed to take the English throne almost 300 years earlier. He came from France with a small contingent of French troops. If it wasn’t for his stepfather choosing him over King Richard III, the Tudor attempt was sure to fail. Why would Bonnie Prince Charlie not even consider bringing French troops with him?

Some of the Highland clans ended up joining him. According to Visit Outer Hebrides, they certainly attempted to warn him off; to go back to France for more men. However, he was sure that they had enough with the Jacobite Army and the French would come later.

They moved from Eriskay and the rest is history. It led to some successes at Prestonpans and Falkirk Muir, but arguably this arrival without the troops would be part of the reason for the big defeat at Culloden.

In the series, we see how some may have been forced. James Fraser’s name was forged on what would be the declaration of war. There may have been others forced to join a cause that they may not have all agreed on. At this point, there was no turning back for some. They were traitors unless they won.

Need more OutlanderFollow Claire and Jamie on Facebook history? as I get you through Droughtlander with sthe how and real history.