Exploring the 1715 Jacobite Rising Battle of Sheriffmuir

On the 13th November in the year 1715 a battle took place on Sheriffmuir at Dunblane. This was between the Jacobite soldiers led by John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar, and the Hanoverian Government army led by John Campbell, the 2nd Duke of Argyll. The battle was chaotic and inconclusive. The right wing of Argyll’s army attacked, pushing back the Jacobites on that side. But Jacobites on the other wing attacked the left wing of Argyll’s army and overwhelmed them. Both sides claimed victory, but strategically, Argyll succeeded in stopping the Jacobites from reaching Stirling or Edinburgh. Although the battle lacked a decisive winner, it effectively ended the 1715 Jacobite rising.

Click here to download the learning resource entitled "Exploring the 1715 Jacobite Rising Battle of Sheriffmuir" created by Leighton Library Volunteer Guides Graeme Young and Malcolm Wilson

This resource makes reference to books in Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library ("The Battle of Sheriffmuir" by John E Shearer, published in 1898, and "Dunblane traditions; being a series of warlike and legendary narratives, biographical sketches of eccentric characters, &c" by John Monteith, published in 1887) as well as to artefacts from the Battle of Sheriffmuir held in Dunblane Museum next to the Leighton Library. It provides learning activities to explore the lead up to the Battle of Sheriffmuir, the battle itself, and its aftermath, making use of noted and imagined accounts of characters involved in the Battle of Sheriffmuir.

Curricular Links

Curriculum for Excellence - Second Level – Exploring the 1715 Jacobite Rising Battle of Sheriffmuir

Overview

The context for study is learning about key characters and events of the 1715 Jacobite Rising, specifically related to the Battle of Sheriffmuir at Dunblane. The learning pack has been designed to help provide an overview of historical events leading up to the 1715 Jacobite Rising in Scotland, the Battle of Sheriffmuir at Dunblane, and its aftermath. The activities provide ways of engaging with key events and people at this time in Scottish history. Learners will use their reading skills to better understand views held by different people living at this time, from the different viewpoints of Jacobites and Hanoverians.

Experiences & Outcomes

Social studies

I can use primary and secondary sources selectively to research events in the past.

SOC 2-01a

I can interpret historical evidence from a range of periods to help build a picture of Scotland’s heritage and my sense of chronology.

SOC 2-02a

I can investigate a Scottish historical theme to discover how past events or the actions of individuals or groups have shaped Scottish society.

SOC 2-03a

I can compare and contrast a society in the past with my own and contribute to a discussion of the similarities and differences.

SOC 2-04a

I can discuss why people and events from a particular time in the past were important, placing them within a historical sequence.

SOC2-06a

Language

As I listen or watch, I can identify and discuss the purpose, key words and main ideas and supporting detail contained within the text, and use this information for a specific purpose.

LIT 2-04a

I can show my understanding of what I listen to or watch by responding to literal, inferential, evaluative and other types of questions, and by asking different questions of my own.

LIT 2-07a

To help me develop an informed view, I can distinguish fact from opinion, and I am learning to recognise when my sources try to influence me and how useful these are.

LIT 2-08a

When listening and talking with others for different purposes, I can: share information, experiences and opinions, explain processes and ideas, identify issues raised and summarise main points or findings, clarify points by asking questions or by asking others to say more.

LIT 2-09a

I can make notes, organise them under suitable headings and use them to understand information, develop my thinking, explore

problems and create new texts, using my own words as appropriate.

LIT 2-15a

To help me develop an informed view, I can identify and explain the difference between fact and opinion, recognise when I am being influenced, and have assessed how useful and believable my sources are.

LIT 2-18a

By considering the type of text I am creating, I can select ideas and relevant information, organise these in an appropriate way for my purpose and use suitable vocabulary for my audience.

LIT 2-26a

I can persuade, argue, explore issues or express an opinion using relevant supporting detail and/or

evidence.

LIT 2-29a

Interdisciplinary opportunities

English and Literacy

Social Studies

ICT to enhance learning

Expressive Arts

I can extend and enhance my knowledge of digital technologies to collect, analyse ideas, relevant information and organise these in an appropriate way.

TCH 2-01a

I can use digital

technologies to search, access and retrieve information and am aware that not all of this information will be credible.

TCH 02-02a

LITERACY AND ENGLISH

Finding and using information

Read the imagined accounts of characters involved in the Jacobite rising of 1715 and the Battle of Sheriffmuir, as well as the suggested starting points follow-up texts, and identify the conflicting positions between the Jacobites and Hanoverians, how each could make claims to success at the Battle of Sheriffmuir, and the final outcome viewed from a historical perspective.

Reading

Using the imagined accounts of characters in the Jacobite Rising of 1715 and the Battle of Sheriffmuir, and reading the suggested external sources for background and context, identify the opposing views of Jacobite and Hanoverian supporters.

Writing

Choose one of the characters, and write a series of three journal or diary entries from their viewpoint

Create a comic strip showing some element of what happened before, during or after the battle.

Write a short article, perhaps for a newsletter, about your favourite character from the Battle of Sheriffmuir and explain why you admire that particular character.

Write heartfelt letters as if you are Robert, the private in Argyll's army and missing his family, describing the battle, your feelings, and hopes for the future.

Talking

Organise a debate between two groups: "Who Really Won the Battle of Sheriffmuir?" (having researched and prepared arguments based on historical evidence).

Divide into groups and assign each group a character. Have each group create short a drama or dialogues based on their character's perspective during the battle.

Related experiences and outcomes: LIT 2-04a, LIT 2-7a, LIT 2-08a, LIT 2-09a, LIT 2-15a, LIT 2-18a, LIT 2-26a, LIT 2-29a

EXPRESSIVE ARTS

Art and Design

Use various media to create pieces of artwork, either using the characters as stimuli or the created texts in Writing.

Music

Listen to the songs about the Battle of Sheriffmuir (such as by Robert Burns and by Murdoch MacLennan) and identify where the sympathies of the songwriters lay, and what they were tring to make the listener understand in the songs

Related experiences and outcomes: EXA 2-04a, EXA 2-05a, EXA 2-18a and EXA 2-19a

TECHNOLOGY

Use digital technologies to search, access and retrieve information to support the writing and talking activities, justifying selection in terms of validity and reliability

Related experiences and outcomes: TCH 2-01a, TCH 02-02a

SOCIAL STUDIES

Look at the key historical characters in the 1715 Jacobite rising and find out what some of their key characteristics were.

Use model figures or paper cutouts to re-enact the Battle of Sheriffmuir on a large map, according to historical descriptions of the battle.

Related experiences and outcomes: SOC 2-01a, SOC 2-02a, SOC2-03a, SOC 2-04a, SOC 2-06a

Curriculum for Excellence - Third Level – Exploring the 1715 Jacobite Rising Battle of Sheriffmuir

Overview

The context for study is learning about key characters and events of the 1715 Jacobite Rising, specifically related to the Battle of Sheriffmuir at Dunblane. The learning pack has been designed to help provide an overview of historical events leading up to the 1715 Jacobite Rising in Scotland, and to the aftermath of the Battle of Sheriffmuir at Dunblane. The activities provide ways of engaging with key events and people at this time in Scottish history. Learners will use their reading skills to better understand views held by different people living at this time, from the different viewpoints of Jacobites and Hanoverians.

Experiences and outcomes

Social studies

I can use my knowledge of a historical period to interpret the evidence and present an informed view.

SOC 3-01a

I can make links between my current and previous studies and show my understanding of how people and events have contributed to the development of the Scottish nation. SOC 3-02a

I can discuss the motives of those involved in a significant turning point in the past and assess the consequences it had then and since. SOC 3-06a

Through researching, I can identify possible causes of past conflict and report on the impact it has had on the lives of people at that time. SOC 3-06b

Language

As I listen or watch, I can identify and give an accurate account of the purpose and main concerns of the text, and can make inferences from key statements. I can identify and discuss similarities and differences between different types of text. I can use this information for different purposes. LIT 3-04a

To help me develop an informed view, I am learning about the techinques used to influence opinion and how to assess the value of my sources, and I can recognise persuasion. LIT 3-08a

Interdisciplinary opportunities

English and Literacy

Social Studies

ICT to enhance learning

Having used digital technologies to search, access and retrieve information I can justify my selection in terms of validity, reliability and have an awareness of plagiarism.

TCH 3-02a