September 16th 1745 saw Jacobite forces rout Hanoverian dragoons near Edinburgh in what was known as the Canter of Coltbrig.
In early September word had reached Edinburgh that Bonnie Prince Charlie's army was on it's way and panic set in, the council raised a petition to raise a force to defend the city but it had little success, the recruits had little or no military experience and were supplemented with the aged and drunken rabble that were Edinburgh Town Guard.
By September 15th it was rumoured that the Jacobites had reached Kirkliston less than 10 miles from the Old Town. The Edinburgh contingent met up with exhausted Dragoons on the retreat from Stirling to the west of the city at what is now Corstorphine,the Highland Army had pursued them all the way, a further troop of Dragoons from Leith were summoned and all was set for a battle for Edinburgh.
The first of the soldiers to meet the Jacobites were fired upon as soon as they came into sight and fled, those in the rear panicked and fled fearful of the Highland charge at such close quarters, having seen this the whole cavalry brigade was thrown into disorder and they rode off towards "The Lang Dykes" which is now the New Town and in particular Princes Street, this hasty flight of the dragoons had been observed by many Edinburgh citizens from the castle hill and the news spread rapidly through the city.
The Dragoons mustered at Leith Links where they were going to camp for the night but a lack of food and supplies forced them to continue onto Musselburgh and further in the next days to meet with Johnnie Copes army at Dunbar and ready for battle a few days later at Prestonpans.
The first picture shows a plaque which was added to the bridge at Roseburn, near Haymarket, where the "Canter" took place.
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