The Great Hunt of 1715: How a Highland Tradition Fueled a Revolution

The majestic Highlands of Scotland have always been steeped in history, their rugged landscapes echoing tales of ancient clans, fierce battles, and clandestine plots. Among these tales is the story of the Great Hunt of 1715 at Braemar—a seemingly innocent gathering of Scottish nobility that, in reality, played a pivotal role in the planning of the Jacobite Rising of that year.

A Gathering of the Highland Elite

On August 27, 1715, the Braemar Highlands were alive with activity. Nobles, gentry, and their retainers—hundreds strong—gathered from across Scotland for what was officially a grand hunting expedition. But this was no ordinary hunt. The participants included some of the most influential figures in Scotland at the time: John Erskine, Earl of Mar; James Stuart, Earl of Murray; George Gordon, Earl of Enzie, son and heir to the Marquis of Huntly; and many others, including knights and esquires. Their presence was not just for sport; it was a calculated move, bringing together powerful men who had grown increasingly disillusioned with the political state of affairs under the Hanoverian regime.