Men in Kilts – Episode 8 Review

Alas, it’s Men in Kilts Episode 8 and so the last of these reviews. It’s ending on a fitting note for Sam & Graham as well, all about the Battle of Culloden which is often marked as the ending of a way of life. This battle has become an iconic moment in the history of Scotland, pivotal for all the wrong reasons.

As before, this is less of a Men in Kilts Episode 8 review, as it is an analysis by a true Scotsman. I’ll give you an insight into the truth behind Culloden, so you know how much of what’s seen in the TV show is true. If you missed the last episode review, then you can find it here.

What Was Culloden?

So Men in Kilts Episode 8 naturally opens with an explanation of what the Battle of Culloden was. This was the final battle in the 1745 Jacobite rising, taking place on April 16th 1746. The Government and Jacobite armies faced each other in the last pitched battle on British soil. A legendary name led the Jacobite forces – Bonnie Prince Charlie, fighting to restore his father to the British throne.

– You might enjoy reading about The Jacobite Stories of Lochaber –

After marching his army to Derby in England, the Prince found himself chased back north by a large Government force. It was crucial for the Jacobites to hold on to Inverness, so they made a stand at nearby Culloden Moor. There, a mixture of tactics and bad luck led to a crushing defeat for Prince Charlie and repercussions that are still felt to this day.

What Happened At Culloden?

Rather than relying on Sam & Graham’s explanations, Men in Kilts Episode 8 turns to historian Alistair Moffat. He tells us that the Jacobites, made up predominantly of Highlanders, were organised into clans and tightknit family groups. As they stood, they were bombarded with cannonfire until the moment came for them to charge.

At this point, the Jacobites were undefeated in their campaign and one technique had always served them well. It was called the Highland Charge. An entire line of men in kilts rushed towards the enemy, fired one volley of muskets at close range and then crashed in before they could recover.

Unfortunately, Culloden was so boggy that the charge wasn’t effective as the Jacobites arrived at different times. Government soldiers combined this advantage with new tactics for dealing with their ferocious foe and successfully won the day.

The aftermath was brutal as the Jacobites were considered rebels not soldiers. Prisoners were executed and anybody who showed any sympathy to their cause were punished. Highland culture was suppressed to keep people under control and it was the beginning of the end for a way of life.

Culloden Myths Debunked

Culloden is such an emotionally charged event that over the years, lots of myths have grown around it. It’s easy to get confused about what’s true and what isn’t so this is something I wish that Men in Kilts Episode 8 had addressed directly. Unfortunately they didn’t, so I will!

• This wasn’t Scotland v England! This was a civil war and while the majority of Jacobites were indeed Scottish, there were a small number of French, Irish and English men on their side. The Government army had plenty of Scots involved too so it’s important not to simplify things.
• The Jacobites had more than just swords. They were much more than just a rabble of poorly armed but noble warriors. Bonnie Prince Charlie equipped his men well with muskets, otherwise the Highland Charge wouldn’t have been so successful!
• The Government cannons devastated the Jacobites. Actually the boggy ground soaked up most of the damage and prevented cannonballs from rolling through the ranks. It was only when the racing Highlanders got close to the Government lines that the cannons had an impact.
• Bonnie Prince Charlie was a coward. While he might not have fared well in hand to hand combat, the Prince was braver than he’s credited for. His advisors had to literally drag him from the field to stop him from charging in to rally the broken Jacobite ranks!

Men In Kilts With Swords

We’ve come back to a favourite Outlander spot for Men in Kilts Episode 8 – Doune Castle aka Castle Leoch. Here, Sam and Graham are met by terrifying, bearded and kilted characters that I wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. That impression is only reinforced when you find out these were the combat experts used for Outlander.

This is a chance to see how people would have fought hand to hand during battles just like Culloden. These skills were where the Jacobites had the upper hand, once they were up close and personal. Swords and Lochaber Axes like those on display were far more terrifying than the bayonet on a musket.

Next we move on to the Outlander armourers for even more examples of Scottish weapons! Today, many Scots who own a kilt will have a little knife called a Sgian Dubh in their sock, even if its just decorative. However, while not many own them, we’re also legally allowed to walk the streets with a much longer dagger known as a Dirk!

A Walk Around Culloden

After all of the build up, it’s finally time to walk Culloden Battlefield itself! Starting at Leanach Cottage, contemporary with the battle, Historian Catriona McIntosh explains some important background to Culloden. You can visit today and stand right where 9000 Government soldiers faced up against around 5500 Jacobites.

Flags mark the lines of both sides and markers are scattered around to explain key pivotal locations. Even more moving are the cairns to each of the clans whose men and boys fell – all 1500 of them. Of course the Clan Fraser cairn gets special Outlander attention now, but as Graham points out, Jamie Fraser is just a fictional character…

It’s windswept, it’s boggy and as Sam says, it really is a terrible place to die. There’s a saying that no birds sing at Culloden and I have to admit, I listened out the last time I was there…nothing. Our dynamic duo then demonstrate the 300 yard charge the Jacobites had to face. Lucky for them, they have the option of a dry piece of land rather than the boggy, heather clad moor!

Ian Macgillivray, who we met in an earlier episode, plays the part of the lone piper, adding a particularly emotional end to Men In Kilts Episode 8.

Overall Thoughts On Men In Kilts

My immediate feeling is that Men in Kilts Episode 8 is what I was expecting from the whole show. There was a solid theme running through the episode, there was a story to follow rather than jumping from place to place like the rest of the series.

This series is clearly made for Outlander fans, but that’s not a problem. I’d be surprised if many viewers aren’t already fans of the hit TV show anyway! Sam and Graham do have a great chemistry and it’s the snippets of banter between them that provide some of the best moments. Overall, even as an experienced Scot, I really enjoyed Men in Kilts, especially this last episode.

If you enjoy Film & TV about Scotland then I’m sure you’re familiar with Braveheart. Read here about how accurate Braveheart really is!

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