On 4th December 1745, the Jacobite Army reached Derby. They consolidated their position, had a council of war and decided to retreat to Scotland.

They were victorious in a scirmish with govermnent forces at Clifton, just south of Penrith. They were victorious at the Battle of Falkirk.

Nevertheless, the retreat continued. The final face-off was at Culloden when Bonnie Prince Charlie replaced General George Murray with disasterous consequences for the Jacobite cause and for Scotland.

In October 2007 I made a recce to Derby in preparation for a drive south. I decided that the time wasn't right and retreated North in sympathy with the men of 1745.

Yesterday, we made a lightning strike down the East Coast from Berwick and entered Birmingham under the cover of darkness.

The Jacobites are back! And closer to London!