December 31 in Scottish History

Today in 1720 Prince Charles Edward Stewart, The Young Pretender, was born in Rome. Known as 'Bonnie Prince Charlie', after the Gaelic pronunciation of his name, he led the 1745 Jacobite attempt to overthrow the Hanoverian monarchy. Charles was raised to believe he was the rightful heir to the throne, and French military support lent credence to his claim. Though many Scots were reluctant to join him, he eventually managed to raise an army which was initially quite successful, taking Edinburgh easily and defeating government troops at Prestonpans. However his youthful self-confidence, though infectious, led to some foolish military decisions at Culloden where the Jacobite forces were utterly destroyed. Charles managed to escape the ensuing massacre thanks to the assistance of a network of Highland supporters who hid him and eventually smuggled him to France. He spent the rest of his days in Rome and died a fat and bitter man.

Today in 1929 72 people died in Paisley at the Glen Cinema fire. 750 boys and girls were enjoying the Hogmanay special matinee when fire broke out in the projection room. Thick smoke and fumes billowed into the cinema, and the fire officers and other rescuers had to make masks out of what was to hand.

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