Viscount Dundee: The Man Behind the Jacobite Uprising

Viscount John Graham of Claverhouse, famously known as "Bonnie Dundee," played a pivotal role in the Jacobite uprising during the late 17th century. A controversial figure in Scottish history, Dundee remains either a celebrated hero or a hated villain, depending on the perspective. His fierce loyalty to the deposed King James VII, his military prowess, and his untimely death at the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689 made him a symbol of defiance for the Jacobite cause. In this post, we explore the life, motivations, and legacy of Viscount Dundee, unraveling the complexities of this remarkable man who fought for a king many had abandoned.

Early Life and Rise to Power

John Graham was born in 1648 to a relatively minor noble family in Stirlingshire, Scotland. His family’s connections allowed him to receive an education in both Glasgow and St. Andrews, where he developed a keen interest in the military. After completing his studies, Dundee embarked on a series of military campaigns in Europe, gaining invaluable experience as a cavalry officer in the French and Dutch armies. These formative years abroad not only honed his skills as a soldier but also exposed him to the power struggles between monarchs and parliaments, lessons that would shape his staunch royalist beliefs in later years.

Upon his return to Scotland, Graham was appointed captain of a regiment by King Charles II. His loyalty to the monarchy during a time of rising tensions between the crown and Presbyterian factions led to his appointment as Sheriff of Dumfries in 1678. It was in this role that he first gained notoriety for his brutal suppression of Presbyterian Covenanters, dissenters who opposed the King’s attempts to impose Episcopalianism on Scotland. This earned him the nickname "Bluidy Clavers," marking him as a figure of fear and loathing for many.

Dundee’s Role in the Glorious Revolution

The Revolution of 1688, also known as the Glorious Revolution, saw the overthrow of King James VII of Scotland (and II of England) by his daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange. It was a political earthquake that shook the British Isles, but nowhere was the impact more fiercely felt than in Scotland, where religious and political loyalties were deeply intertwined.

While much of the Scottish nobility swiftly aligned themselves with William and Mary, Dundee remained staunchly loyal to King James. His steadfast loyalty was not solely out of personal allegiance but was rooted in his belief in the divine right of kings—an idea that monarchs ruled by God’s will and that any challenge to their authority was not only unlawful but also sacrilegious. To Viscount Dundee, the deposition of James VII was an act of treason, and he could not abide the new regime.

The political landscape in Edinburgh was chaotic following the invasion of William of Orange. Anti-Jacobite sentiments surged through the capital, with students and apprentices publicly calling for the heads of James’ supporters. Amid this turmoil, Viscount Dundee gathered a group of loyalists and began to plot a counter-rebellion. His energy, military acumen, and loyalty made him one of the few leaders capable of rallying support for King James’ cause in Scotland. However, it was also this very same energy that made him a feared and marked man by the Williamite government.

The Jacobite Uprising and Battle of Killiecrankie

In 1689, after the new government summoned a Convention of the Estates in Edinburgh to solidify William and Mary’s rule, Dundee made a dramatic exit from the capital. He headed to the Highlands to muster support for a Jacobite uprising. His departure was filled with symbolism, as he rode out of Edinburgh, down the Royal Mile, in full military regalia—an image of rebellion and defiance.

Dundee’s mission to raise a Jacobite army was not an easy one. The Highland clans, traditionally loyal to the Stuart monarchy, were disorganized and hesitant to engage in open rebellion without clear support from the broader Jacobite movement. Yet, Dundee’s charisma, coupled with his promises of restoring the Stuart monarchy, managed to convince many Highland chiefs to take up arms. His determination to resist the new regime gave the Jacobite cause a lifeline in Scotland, even when it seemed doomed elsewhere.

The climax of Dundee’s campaign came in the summer of 1689, at the Battle of Killiecrankie. On July 27, Dundee and his ragtag army of Highlanders faced off against the professional forces of Williamite General Hugh Mackay. The battle took place in the narrow Pass of Killiecrankie, a steep valley that provided Dundee’s forces with a strategic advantage. The Highlanders, famous for their ferocity and use of the "Highland charge," overwhelmed Mackay’s troops. The royalist forces were routed, and the Jacobites claimed a stunning victory.

However, this triumph came at a tremendous cost. During the battle, Dundee was mortally wounded by a musket shot, a fatal blow to both his life and the Jacobite cause in Scotland. His death on the battlefield—described as heroic by his supporters—left a vacuum in leadership that the Jacobite movement struggled to fill. Without Dundee’s charismatic and forceful personality to rally around, the rebellion quickly lost momentum, and the Williamite government reasserted control over Scotland.

Legacy and Controversy

Viscount Dundee’s legacy remains deeply divided. To Jacobites and royalists, he is remembered as a heroic figure who fought valiantly for his king and his beliefs. The ballad "Bonnie Dundee," written by Sir Walter Scott, immortalized him as a Scottish patriot who refused to bow to tyranny. His military leadership, particularly at Killiecrankie, has been praised for its boldness and tactical brilliance.

On the other hand, many view Dundee as a villain—a symbol of the brutal suppression of Covenanters and an enforcer of royal tyranny. His role in quelling Presbyterian resistance during the 1670s and 1680s cast a dark shadow over his later actions. His heavy-handed methods during the suppression of religious dissent earned him a reputation as a ruthless and violent figure, which even his supporters cannot fully erase.

Historically, Dundee’s death marked the beginning of the end for Jacobitism in Scotland, at least in the 17th century. Although there were later Jacobite risings, including the more famous ’45 Rising led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, the loss of Dundee in 1689 left the movement without a dynamic leader. Had he lived longer, it is possible the Jacobite cause could have seen more significant success in the Highlands.

Dundee’s life encapsulates the complex web of loyalty, power, religion, and rebellion that defined late 17th-century Scotland. Whether seen as a hero or a villain, there is no denying that his actions left an indelible mark on Scottish history. His commitment to the Stuart cause, his military achievements, and his dramatic death in the heat of battle make him one of the most enigmatic and fascinating figures of the Jacobite period.

Adapted from: Campbell, D., & MacBain, A. (Eds.). (1889-90). Highland monthly: A magazine forming a centre of literary brotherhood for Scoto-Celtic people both at home and abroad (Vol. 1). Northern Chronicle Office.