In 1689, during the Jacobite Rebellion, the Battle of Killiecrankie was fought on the northern edge of the village. The Highland charge of the Jacobites took the government forces under General Hugh MacKay by surprise and completely overwhelmed them in only 10 minutes. Donald MacBean, one of William II of Scotland's supporters, having lost the contest, is said to have cleared the pass, from one bank to the other, at "The Soldier's Leap". One of the most famous leaders of the rebellion John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee was killed in the battle. A Memorial Field to the fallen soldiers lies within the grounds of the category B listed Urrard House.[3] An eponymous folk song, Braes o' Killiecrankie, commemorates the battle. A 1966 recording by The Corries was a pioneering use of the music video.
Mary Ann Kennedy was the presenter of a BBC Four television series The Highland Sessions, which was filmed in Killiecrankie. Many notable musicians and singers from Ireland and Scotland performed in the sessions.[5]