12 March 1689: The deposed James VII and II landed at Kinsale in Ireland from France, marking the beginning of the Williamite War which formed part of the wider Nine Years’ War in Europe.
12 March 1708: Comte de Forbin’s French fleet carrying James Francis Edward Stuart arrived in the Firth of Forth with the intention of landing a force of 5,000 men in Fife. The following morning, the fleet put to sea to avoid Admiral Byng’s squadron which was fast approaching and sailed for the Moray Firth.
