Friday 11 October, 2024

Scottish history and heritage online

3 May

The Murder of James Sharp

3 May 1679: A group of Covenanters led by John Balfour of Kinloch murdered James Sharp, Archbishop of St Andrews on Magus Muir, Fife. Sharp was returning to St Andrews from Edinburgh with his daughter when their coach was surrounded. He was dragged out, stabbed and then shot to death. The group had been waiting to ambush the Sheriff of Cupar, a leading figure in the persecution of Covenanters, but he had been forewarned and stayed at home.

3 May 1746: Royal Navy sloops Greyhound, Baltimore and Terror sailed into Loch nan Uamh and engaged two French privateers Le Mars and Le Bellone that had arrived to deliver supplies and gold coin for the Jacobites.

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