Ruthven Barracks

Ruthven Barracks

The site of Ruthven barracks dates back to 1229, when it was originally a castle used by the younger son of King Robert II of Scotland, Alexander Stewart. This castle was demolished in 1451 and replaced with a second castle in 1459. This new castle was contested during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and was severely damaged during the Jacobite rising of 1689.

Due to the continuing unrest in this period, it was decided by the British Government to build a series of fortified barracks in strategic locations, and thus the new Ruthven Barracks were completed in 1721.

The complex is made up of two large three-storey blocks, each with two rooms per floor. There were loopholes built throughout for musket firing, and bastion towers were built at opposite corners. The barracks could accommodate 120 troops and 28 horses.

Ruthven Barracks and the Jacobites

Despite having the capacity for ten times as many men, there were only 12 soldiers to defend the barracks against 200 Jacobites in August 1745. They were commanded by Sergeant Terrence Molloy of the 6th Regiment of Foot, and successfully held the barracks, killing 2 Jacobites in the process.

However his success was short lived, because the following year the same commander found himself facing a much larger body of Jacobites under the command of Prince Charles Edward himself, which surrounded the barracks and fired cannon shot into it. That night Terrence Molloy (by then promoted to Lieutenant) surrendered.

Following the Battle of Culloden in 1746, around 3000 Jacobites retreated to Fort Ruthven, but Bonnie Prince Charlie sent them all home, telling them their situation was hopeless. As they departed the Jacobites destroyed the barracks.

The remnants remain to this day and can be visited by anyone, free of charge.