Tory Jacobites in England, following the arrival from Hanover of George I in 1714, have conspired to organize armed rebellions against the new Hanoverian government.

They are indecisive and frightened by government arrests of their leaders.

The Treaty of Utrecht had ended hostilities between France and Britain.

From France, as part of widespread Jacobite plotting, James Stuart, the Pretender, has been corresponding with the Earl of Mar.

James calls on Mar in the summer of 1715 to raise the Clans.

Mar, nicknamed Bobbin' John, rushes from London to Braemar.

He summons clan leaders on August 27, 1715, to "a grand hunting-match".