Historians have discovered a bullet hole at Bannockburn House and believe it is proof of an assassination attempt against Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Prince Charles Edward Stuart was taken to recuperate at the Grade A listed landmark near Stirling after falling ill in January 1746 during the Jacobite Rising.
It has been said during his time at the house, an assassin fired a shot through the window of the bedroom he was sleeping in.
In April this year, volunteer researchers on the house’s history team discovered a musket ball hole behind a secret panel following a crucial tip-off.
Pic: Bannockburn House Trust/Mark Ferguson
Pic: Bannockburn House Trust/Mark Ferguson
Leading historian Professor Murray Pittock, of the University of Glasgow, and Dr Murray Cook, Stirling Council archaeologist, confirmed the authenticity of the find.
Dr Cook said: “I have visited the bedroom many times over the years and always tried to imagine the prince and the resulting confusion from the musket fire and sounds of smashing glass alerting everyone to the assassin.
“However, to see the damage and to touch the spot sent a thrill down my spine – an incredible tangible experience and worth visiting Bannockburn House for this alone.”
The discovery has been announced to coincide with the 279th anniversary of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s arrival on Scottish soil.
It also coincides with Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations.
Bannockburn House. Pic: Bannockburn House Trust/Mark Ferguson
“The Young Pretender” was the grandson of a former King – King James II in England and Wales and King James VII in Scotland.
The Jacobite Rising of 1745 was an attempt by Bonnie Prince Charlie to regain the British throne for his father, James Francis Edward Stuart.
Although he initially achieved several victories in the field, including the Battle of Prestonpans and the Battle of Falkirk Muir, the rising effectively ended following his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in April 1746.
The prince stayed at Bannockburn House at the behest of Sir Hugh Paterson, 3rd Baronet of Bannockburn, when the Jacobite army laid siege of Stirling Castle.
During his stay he was nursed back to health by Sir Hugh’s niece, Clementina Walkinshaw.
She became his mistress, and the romance continued for many years after the rising. The pair had a daughter, Charlotte, Duchess of Albany.
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The bedroom at the property is within the first floor’s west wing. It is adorned with a delicate plaster frieze of mermaids and multiple layers of ancient wooden panelling, some of which are hand hewn and painted.
Bannockburn House Trust volunteers had been searching for the bullet hole but had nothing to go on until an 89-year-old Edinburgh resident helped to solve the mystery.
The man, whose aunt was a housekeeper for the last owner in residence, revealed that his relative had taken great pride in looking after it.
The team – including lead Anne Monaghan, volunteer Anna Morrison and volunteer researcher Catherine Bradley – investigated the room.
Pic: Bannockburn House Trust/Mark Ferguson
Ms Bradley and Ms Monaghan had noticed the edge of an inset panel in the wall when cleaning out the room furniture for conservation.
Ms Bradley said: “I suspected that is where it may have been. It is across from a window, now hidden by panelling later put in the room sometime in the 1880s.
“I just didn’t have the evidence to look until now. It was an exciting moment as I opened it.
“I carefully lifted the panel and saw the splintered wood and I knew we’d found something very special.”
Ms Monaghan added: “After years of hearing the story, it’s been fantastic to finally verify the existence of the musket ball hole.”
Pic: Bannockburn House Trust/Mark Ferguson
Prof Pittock, author of Culloden, The Myth of the Jacobite Clans, Jacobitism and many other works, confirmed the team “has almost certainly discovered forensic evidence of an assassination attempt on Prince Charles in 1746”.
He added: “This is critically important not only for our understanding of the rising but also for the role the attack may have played in intensifying the relationship between Charles and Clementina Walkinshaw, which led to the birth of his only child.”
Bannockburn House Trust, which looks after the property, is currently seeking funds for restoration works to combat water damage caused by the deterioration of the building.
Amanda Monaghan, operations manager for the charity, said: “This discovery is a tangible link to a significant event in our history, and it’s crucial that we act now to preserve it for future generations.”