Following his victory at Culloden, the Duke of Cumberland was determined to eliminate the Jacobite threat once and for all. He wanted revenge: his army would crush the unruly Highlands, capture the Prince, and return to the main war in Flanders as soon as possible. There was to be no question of a further rebellion.

Within a few days of the battle, around 1,500 Jacobite soldiers gathered at Ruthven Barracks, ready to continue the campaign. To their surprise Charles gave the order to disperse and then went into hiding. For him, the Rising was over.

Unopposed, the government sent its army and navy across Scotland, punishing anyone suspected of Jacobite sympathies. The policy of 'pacification' of the Highlands had begun.

The government began to dismantle the structures of Highland society. Chiefs were deprived of their legal powers and clansmen of their weapons. Jacobite estates were seized by the Crown. The kilt and tartan were banned.

On his return to France, Prince Charles Edward Stuart was the hero of Europe. The story of his bold expedition and romantic escape made him the biggest celebrity of his time.

His life afterwards was one long anti-climax. He was expelled from France in 1748 and spent the next decade involved in futile conspiracies. He died in Rome in 1788, a broken alcoholic, deserted by his wife and followers.

The Duke of Cumberland fared little better. Although his ruthless conduct after Culloden eventually earned him the title of 'Butcher'. His next military campaign ended in defeat and surrender. He died in 1765.