Battle of Prestonpans - 1745

Battle of Prestonpans - 1745

Government Forces: Sir John Cope

Jacobites: Charles Edward Stuart and George Murray

Result: Jacobite victory

The Battle of Prestonpans was the first significant conflict in the Jacobite Rising of 1745. The battle took place at 4 am on 21 September 1745. The Jacobite army loyal to James Francis Edward Stuart and led by his son Charles Edward Stuart defeated the government army loyal to the Hanoverian George II led by Sir John Cope.

The inexperienced government troops were outflanked and broke in the face of a highland charge. It was initially known as the Battle of Gladsmuir, but was actually fought at Prestonpans, East Lothian, on that town's borders with Tranent, Cockenzie and Port Seton.The cairn commemorates the victory of Prince Charles Edward over General Cope at the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745.