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Battles of Scotland

by alan.dotchin

Scotland has seen numerous battles throughout its history, from the early medieval period to the Jacobite uprisings. Below is a list of significant battles fought in Scotland or involving Scottish forces:

Battles of the Wars of Scottish Independence (1296–1357)

  1. Battle of Dunbar (1296) – English victory, beginning of Edward I’s invasion.
  2. Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297) – Major Scottish victory led by William Wallace and Andrew de Moray.
  3. Battle of Falkirk (1298) – English victory; William Wallace defeated by Edward I.
  4. Battle of Roslin (1303) – Scottish victory against English forces.
  5. Battle of Methven (1306) – English victory; Robert the Bruce defeated.
  6. Battle of Dalrigh (1306) – English victory; Bruce narrowly escaped.
  7. Battle of Loudoun Hill (1307) – Robert the Bruce’s victory over the English.
  8. Battle of Bannockburn (1314) – Major Scottish victory securing Bruce’s reign.
  9. Battle of Myton (1319) – Scottish victory against an English army.
  10. Battle of Old Byland (1322) – Scottish victory against Edward II’s forces.
  11. Battle of Dupplin Moor (1332) – English-backed Balliol forces defeated the Scots.
  12. Battle of Halidon Hill (1333) – English victory; Edward III helped Balliol regain the throne.
  13. Battle of Boroughmuir (1335) – Scottish victory over Balliol’s forces.
  14. Battle of Culblean (1335) – Bruce loyalists defeated Balliol’s army.
  15. Battle of Neville’s Cross (1346) – English victory; David II captured.
  16. Battle of Poitiers (1356) – Scottish knights fought alongside the French but were defeated.

Battles of the Anglo-Scottish Wars (14th–16th Centuries)

  1. Battle of Otterburn (1388) – Scottish victory; James Douglas killed.
  2. Battle of Homildon Hill (1402) – English victory; many Scots captured.
  3. Battle of Piperdean (1435) – Scottish victory over English forces.
  4. Battle of Sark (1448) – Scottish victory over English invaders.
  5. Battle of Flodden (1513) – Catastrophic Scottish defeat; King James IV killed.
  6. Battle of Solway Moss (1542) – English victory; James V’s army routed.
  7. Battle of Ancrum Moor (1545) – Scottish victory during the Rough Wooing.
  8. Battle of Pinkie Cleugh (1547) – English victory; last major Anglo-Scottish battle.

Battles of the Scottish Reformation & Civil Wars (16th–17th Centuries)

  1. Battle of Carberry Hill (1567) – Mary, Queen of Scots, surrendered.
  2. Battle of Langside (1568) – Mary’s forces defeated; she fled to England.
  3. Battle of Glenlivet (1594) – Catholic forces defeated royal troops.
  4. Battle of Auldearn (1645) – Royalist victory during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
  5. Battle of Alford (1645) – Royalist victory under Montrose.
  6. Battle of Kilsyth (1645) – Major Royalist victory.
  7. Battle of Philiphaugh (1645) – Covenanters defeated Montrose’s forces.
  8. Battle of Dunbar (1650) – English victory; Oliver Cromwell’s forces defeated the Scots.
  9. Battle of Inverkeithing (1651) – Cromwell’s army crushed Scottish forces.
  10. Battle of Worcester (1651) – English victory; Charles II fled to France.

Battles of the Jacobite Risings (1689–1746)

  1. Battle of Killiecrankie (1689) – Jacobite victory; Viscount Dundee killed.
  2. Battle of Dunkeld (1689) – Government victory over Jacobites.
  3. Battle of Cromdale (1690) – Government forces defeated Jacobites.
  4. Battle of Glenshiel (1719) – British government defeated Jacobite and Spanish forces.
  5. Battle of Prestonpans (1745) – Jacobite victory; Bonnie Prince Charlie triumphant.
  6. Battle of Falkirk Muir (1746) – Jacobite victory over government troops.
  7. Battle of Culloden (1746) – Final defeat of the Jacobites; end of the uprisings.