The Battle of Littleferry, 1746: The Day Before Culloden

At a glance

Date	15 April 1746
War	The Jacobite Rising of 1745
Where	Littleferry, near Golspie, Sutherland
Winner	Sutherland & Mackay government militia
Loser	Cromartie’s Jacobite regiment
Noted for	the battle the day before Culloden

Background

Sutherland and the Mackay country were largely pro-Government in the ’45. Bonnie Prince Charlie ordered the Earl of Cromartie’s Jacobite regiment — raised in Sutherland and Easter Ross — to march south to reinforce the army at Inverness. On the march, the officers let the foot soldiers get well ahead of them.

The battle

Sutherland militia came down from the hills near Golspie and struck the gap between the Jacobite officers and their men. The regiment broke; many were killed or drowned trying to cross Loch Fleet, and most of the officers were captured. Cromartie and his son were taken to Dunrobin Castle.

Honesty note: by far the best-documented battle in this set — dated to the day, with named commanders and near-contemporary reporting (Government losses ~6–10 killed; Jacobite ~100 killed and ~150 captured). It destroyed Cromartie’s regiment the day before Culloden — reinforcements the Prince never received. Despite that, Littleferry is not on the HES Inventory (Culloden is) — worth stating, as visitors often assume otherwise.

The site today

A memorial stone (2022) commemorates both sides — “placing peace above war.”

The clans & people involved

Government: Sutherland and Mackay independent companies.
Jacobite: Mackenzie (Cromartie’s), with MacGregor and Mackinnon.

Sources

Battle of Littleferry — Wikipedia; JacobiteScotland.org.

📝 Kevin’s note: a photo of Littleferry / Loch Fleet — add from our own visit.

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