French Jacobite Invasion of Scotland Aborts Landing at Firth of Forth

The French Jacobite invasion of Scotland that aborted its landing at the Firth of Forth occurred in March 1708. This was part of a broader attempt to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British throne, specifically aiming to put James Francis Edward Stuart, also known as the “Old Pretender,” back in power. James was the son of the deposed King James II of England and VII of Scotland, who lost his throne during the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

The invasion force consisted of French ships and troops, as well as Scottish Jacobites, supporters of the Stuart claim to the throne. The plan was to land at the Firth of Forth, near Edinburgh, and rally support in Scotland for the Jacobite cause. The expectation was that a successful landing and campaign in Scotland could spark a wider uprising against the reigning monarchs, Queen Anne of Great Britain, and potentially lead to the restoration of the Stuart monarchy.

However, the invasion fleet was spotted by the Royal Navy, leading to a naval engagement. The presence of the British naval forces, along with adverse weather conditions, prevented the French and Jacobite forces from landing. The invasion fleet ultimately decided to abort the landing attempt and returned to France without engaging in significant combat.

The failure of the 1708 invasion attempt was a significant setback for the Jacobite cause. It demonstrated the challenges of mounting such an invasion against a well-prepared and forewarned Britain. Despite this failure, the Jacobites would continue their efforts to restore the Stuart monarchy, leading to further uprisings, most notably the Jacobite Rising of 1715 and the last and most famous attempt in 1745, led by Charles Edward Stuart, known as “Bonnie Prince Charlie,” the son of James Francis Edward Stuart.