In 1715, the Jacobite Rebellion sought to restore James Stuart to the British throne, culminating in a failed attempt at the Battle of Prestonpans. This uprising reflected the deep political and social divisions in Britain during the early 18th century, as Jacobites rallied for the Stuart claim against the Hanoverian monarchy. The rebellion's failure had lasting implications for Scottish identity and the political landscape of Britain.

The Jacobite Rebellion of 1715 generated a rich body of Scottish nationalist poetry and ballads, strengthening Celtic literary traditions. Poets like Robert Burns drew upon this historical context to express themes of identity, loyalty, and resistance in their works.