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of Culloden to his neglect or inefficiency in provisioning the army, a duty which Murray had always performed well. Hay held a colonel’s commission in the Jacobite army He attached himself to Prince Charles after leaving Scotland, became major-domo of his household when he went to Rome after his father’s death in 1766; created a Jacobite baronet in that year; dismissed in 1768; returned to Scotland 1771; died 1784
[452] Alexander Macleod, an Edinburgh advocate, was aide-de-camp to the Prince throughout the campaign. His father, John, also an advocate, was a grandson of Sir Norman Macleod of Bernera, and was a first cousin of Lady Clanranald. He had purchased Muiravonside in Stirlingshire, two miles from Linlithgow Alexander was sent from Edinburgh in September to summon to the Prince’s standard Sir Alexander Macdonald of Sleat and Macleod of Macleod, both his near kinsmen This mission, in which he failed owing to the stronger influence of Duncan Forbes, brought on him the special anger of the Government He was attainted, and for thirty-two years he wandered in the wildest regions of the Western Highlands and Islands. He received a pardon in 1778, and died in 1784. He was in Raasay when Dr. Johnson and Boswell visited that island in September 1773. He was generally known as Sandie Macleod in the Islands, and had also acquired the nickname of M‘Cruslick, signifying a cross between Proteus and Don Quixote. He possessed the most boisterous spirits, which delighted Johnson and irritated Boswell.
[453] See post, p. 230, n. 2.
[454] Allan Macdowell is a mistake for Macdonell or rather Macdonald, as his name is afterwards correctly spelled. He was a ‘native of the Isles’ and a clansman of Clanranald’s; he went out with the clan as chaplain when the standard was raised, and continued with the army until the end of the campaign He also acted as confessor to the Prince He and Æneas M‘Gillis, the chaplain of Glengarry’s men, were the only priests that accompanied the Highlanders to Prestonpans They wore the Highland dress, with sword and pistol, and were styled captains. At the battle of Falkirk Mr. Macdonald rode along the line and gave his blessing, which the Catholics received kneeling. From Culloden he accompanied the Prince in his flight and in the earlier part of his wanderings, leaving
him at Scalpa. Later on he was apprehended in South Uist, and sent with some other priests to London in Ferguson’s ship the Furness He and four other clergymen were examined by the Duke of Newcastle, who informed them that they might leave the country on finding bail for £1000 each not to return They pointed out that the bail was quite beyond their power, on which the Duke smilingly replied that they were honest men and he would take each man’s bail for the other Macdonald went to Paris, and in 1748 to Rome, where he lived for many years. (Bishop Geddes’s MS.) I do not know if he ever returned.
[455] Sic in N. M. Mag. Most likely an error caused by careless transcription and meant to read, ‘to Gortlick’s house [not horge] a gentleman of the name of Thomas Fraser ’ Gortlick, more generally spelt Gortuleg, belonged to Thomas Fraser, a cadet of Lovat’s It was in this house and on this occasion that Prince Charles had his memorable meeting with Lord Lovat which is dramatically described by Mrs Grant of Laggan (See Wariston’s Diary and Other Papers, p 265, Scot. Hist. Soc., vol. xxvi.)
[456] Stratherrick.
[457] Neil, who at this period is writing from hearsay, is quite wrong here. Glengarry was not at home and the house was ‘without meat, drink, fire or candle, except some firrsticks!’ Had Ned Bourke not netted a couple of salmon, there would have been nothing to eat. (L. in M., i. 89, 191.)
[458] Angus MacEachain (or Macdonald) was a son-in-law of Angus Macdonald of Borradale He had served in the campaign as a surgeon in Glengarry’s regiment
The family of MacEachain-Macdonald of Drimindarach, Arisaig, was a branch of the Clanranalds, descended from Eachain (or Hector), a younger son of Roderick, 2nd Clanranald Neil MacEachain was of the MacEachains of Howbeg, a junior branch of the sept Both families have long since resumed their earlier name, Macdonald, dropping the name MacEachain
[459] This was the Prince’s second visit to Borradale House on Lochnanuagh. It was here he stayed on his first landing in July 1745. He came again to Borradale in July 1746, after his wanderings in the Hebrides, by which time the house
had been burned down by Cumberland’s soldiers; he finally returned to Borradale on 19th September, whence he sailed for France the following day Angus Macdonald, the tacksman of Borradale, was a son of the 5th laird of Glenaladale, a cadet of Clanranald’s, and was a first cousin of Flora Macdonald Borradale’s descendant, Colonel John Andrew Macdonald, is to-day laird of Glenaladale
[460] Captain Felix O’Neille, born at Rome, son of a brigadier in the Spanish service. He served in the Spanish army until 1744, when he joined Lally’s French-Irish regiment as captain. Was sent to Scotland with despatches from the Duc de Richelieu in March 1746. After Culloden he accompanied Prince Charles during the first two months of his wanderings and shared his discomforts He was captured in Benbecula by Captain John Ferguson of the Furness He was confined in Edinburgh Castle until February 1747, when he was released on parole and subsequently exchanged (Scots Mag , ix 92) He wrote a journal of his wanderings, which is printed in The Lyon, i 102, 365
[461] John William O’Sullivan; b. in Co. Kerry, 1700; educated in France and Rome for the priesthood, and, it is said (Fielding’s True Patriot), took orders Entered the family of Maréchal de Maillebois as tutor, afterwards secretary Joined the French army and served under Maillebois in Corsica; afterwards in Italy and on the Rhine Recommended to D’Argenson as an officer ‘who understood the irregular art of war better than any other man in Europe, nor was his knowledge in the regular much inferior to that of the best general living.’ Entered the household of Prince Charles about 1744; accompanied him to Scotland and acted as adjutantgeneral, as well as private adviser, during the campaign. Was with the Prince in his wanderings until 20th June. Escaped to France in a French cutter. Knighted by the Chevalier about Christmas 1746, and created by him a baronet of Ireland 1753. Date of death not ascertained.
[462] Donald Macleod of Gualtergil, on Dunvegan Loch, Skye, the faithful ‘Palinurus’ of Prince Charles from 21st April to 20th June. He was captured in Benbecula in July, and taken to London in Ferguson’s ship; released June ’47; died at Gualtergil in May ’49, aged 72. His wife was a sister of Macdonald of Borradale and a first cousin of Flora Macdonald.
[463] It seems absurd to write of seizing the boat and stealing away. In addition to the Prince’s five attendants, O’Sullivan, O’Neil, Allan Macdonald, Ned Bourke, and Donald Macleod, there was a crew of seven boatmen, probably the servants of Borradale who must have known It is true, however, that the Prince’s intended departure was concealed from most of the Jacobite officers assembled in Arisaig
[464] Neil is right as to the day of the week, but wrong as to the day of the month. It should be Sunday, 27th April. See Itinerary.
[465] Rev John Macaulay, son of the Rev Aulay Macaulay, minister of Harris, was ordained parish minister of South Uist in May 1745. He was subsequently minister of Lismore and Appin 1755; Inverary 1765, and finally of Cardross 1775. He died 1789. At Inveraray he had a good deal of intercourse with Dr. Johnson in 1773, duly recorded by Boswell in the Tour to the Hebrides. John Macaulay was the father of Zachary Macaulay, and grandfather of Lord Macaulay.
[466] i e Neil MacEachain
[467] Rev. Aulay Macaulay, formerly of Tyree; appointed to Harris 1712; died 1758; aged about eighty-five.
[468] Rev Colin Mackenzie was not minister of Stornoway but of Lochs, the parish to the south of Stornoway.
[469] Should be 30th April.
[470] Donald Campbell was the brother-in-law of Hugh Macdonald of Baleshare and of Donald Roy Macdonald, the former of whom is mentioned later on; the latter, though of the family of Sleat, had served in Glengarry’s regiment. Donald Roy took over charge of the Prince when he said farewell to Flora Macdonald at Portree in Skye. (L. in M., ii. 21.) An anecdote of Campbell’s fidelity to the Prince when he protected him against a party headed by Aulay Macaulay the minister is given in the Itinerary. Neil MacEachain does not love Donald Campbell, but Ned Bourke, who was one of the party, calls him ‘one of the best, honestest fellows that ever drew breath ’ (L in M , i 191 )
[471] Lady Kildin should be spelt Kildun. This lady was the wife of Colin Mackenzie of Kildun, a grandson of the 2nd Earl of Seaforth. Mackenzie’s sister was the second wife of Donald,
16th Clanranald, the mother of Macdonald of Boisdale, and stepmother of old Clanranald of the ’45. From private letters belonging to Frances, Lady Muir Mackenzie, I find that Colin Mackenzie was then in London
[472] Neil MacEachain is all wrong here in the sequence of events and in his dates. He was writing from hearsay only. The true sequence will be found with authorities for the same in the Itinerary, pp. 48-50.
[473] A quarter of a peck of oatmeal not threshed, but burnt out of the ear
[474] This was strictly in accordance with Hebridean honesty, continued to this day. The Prince desired to leave money on the rocks to pay for the fish, but O’Sullivan and O’Neille (not the islanders) dissuaded him. Cf. L. in M., i. 172.
[475] Prince Charles landed in Benbecula, Clanranald’s island, on 11th May, and from this time onward Neil writes from knowledge, not hearsay.
[476] South Uist
[477] Ranald was afterwards taken prisoner and sent to London.
[478] Corradale is a picturesque valley situated in the mountainous part of South Uist, which occupies the middle of the east side of the island, whose northern, western, and southern confines are wonderfully flat. Corradale lies about the middle of this district, running north-west from the sea, between the mountains Hekla and Benmore, each about 2000 feet high. If approached by sea it was easy for a fugitive to get away to inaccessible hiding-places in the mountains, while if attacked from the land he could escape by sea. Prince Charles’s lodging was a forester’s house not far from the shore. On the north side of the glen, close to the sea, there is a fairly commodious cave, traditionally but erroneously the dwelling-place of the Prince. This cave was probably the rock under which Neil left the Prince while he looked for strangers Considering the weather to be expected in this island, there can be little doubt that the Prince often sat there for shelter while he looked out for passing ships, as the cave commands an excellent view of the offing to the south-east
[479] The actual stay at Corradale was from 14th May to 5th June, although the Prince was in South Uist until 24th June For details, see the Itinerary
[480] See ante, p. 213, and Introduction.
[481] Moidart
[482] In Ordnance Survey Glen Quoich, to the west of Loch Garry. I have no knowledge of the actions here referred to.
[483] Donald Macdonald, second son of Clanranald, served as captain in his brother ‘Young Clanranald’s’ regiment throughout the campaign His mother was Margaret, d of William Macleod of Luskintyre, son of Sir Norman Macleod of Bernera, and Catherine, d of Sir James ‘Mor’ Macdonald of Sleat, 2nd bart. Donald’s uncle, Alexander Macleod, was at this time laird of Luskintyre in Harris. Donald was afterwards captured and imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle, but discharged without trial. In 1756 he joined Fraser’s Highlanders (the Master of Lovat’s); fought with Wolfe at Quebec and was killed in a subsequent action.
[484] i e Boisdale
[485] Hugh Macdonald of Baleshare, an island to the south-west of North Uist, was of the Sleat family, his father being a natural son of Sir James ‘Mor,’ 2nd bart., and his mother a daughter of the 13th Clanranald. As Sir Alexander of Sleat and Lady Clanranald were both great-grandchildren of Sir James ‘Mor,’ they were nearly related to Baleshare, being in the Scots phrase ‘first-cousins once removed ’ Baleshare’s sister was the wife of Donald Campbell, the Prince’s host in Scalpa Hugh of Baleshare had been sent to South Uist by Lady Margaret Macdonald, the wife of Sir Alexander of Sleat then in attendance on Cumberland at Fort Augustus, while his men were out against the broken Jacobites. Lady Margaret had sent Baleshare secretly with money and little luxuries to relieve the Prince’s discomfort and to help him generally. At one time it was proposed that Baleshare should conceal Prince Charles in his own island, but the scheme was abandoned as it might compromise his chief, Sir Alexander.
[486] This power of drinking seems to have made a great impression Baleshare told Bishop Forbes that the Prince ‘still had the better of us, and even of Boystill [Boysdale] himself, notwithstanding his being as able a boulman as any in
Scotland.’ It is generally assumed that Prince Charles acquired his drinking habits as a result of his hardships in Scotland, yet his anxious father had detected symptoms of an overfondness for wine even before he left Rome in 1744 In a letter to Colonel O’Bryen (Lord Lismore), his envoy at the French Court, in August 1745, the Old Chevalier writes: ‘La grande vivacité du Prince, son penchant pour toutes sortes de divertissements, et un peu trop de goût qu’il sembloit alors avoir pour le vin, leur ont faire croire faussement qu’ils avoient gagné quelque chose sur son esprit et il devint bientôt par là leur Héros.’ (Stuart Papers, Browne, Hist. of the High., iii. 445.)
[487] See post, p. 249, n. 3.
[488] Should be Ulinish. He was a first cousin of Sir Alexander Macdonald, whose mother was a Macleod of Greshornish. Alexander Macleod was made sheriff-substitute in Skye in 1773. In 1791 he was alive and in his 100th year.
[489] Captain John Ferguson was the fourth son of George Ferguson, one of six brothers, members of a family long resident at Inverurie The eldest was the celebrated or notorious ‘Ferguson the Plotter’ of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries; other brothers founded the families of Pitfour and Kinmundy. George lived and died at Old Meldrum near Inverurie, so it may be supposed that his son, John, was born there. Nothing is known of his early career, but in 1746 John Ferguson was in command of H.M.S. Furness, (which is always spelt Furnace in the Scottish journals and narratives of the time), and was employed in hunting fugitive Jacobites. He was the ‘black captain’ of the ’45, one of the most active and ruthless of the Government officers. His cruelties are a constant theme in Jacobite annals (see the Lyon from the index) Captain O’Neille, who was one of his prisoners, states that Ferguson used him with the barbarity of a pirate, stripped him, and ordered him to be put into a rack and whipped by his hangman because he would not confess where he thought the Prince was (L in M , i 374 ) Ferguson was promoted in the same year, by the express interference and recommendation of the Duke of Cumberland, to be captain of the Nightingale, a new frigate just launched. He died in 1767. (Records of Clan Ferguson, p. 280.) Ferguson’s greatest exploit was the capture of Lord Lovat, which was effected with skill. Lovat had taken refuge in an island on Loch
Morar, a fresh-water lake, and had removed all the boats on the loch to the island. Ferguson landed a party, who saw the fugitives, whom they could not reach, and by whom they were greeted with cries of derision He then sent a boat ashore from his ship, carried it over a mile or so of rugged country, and launched it on Loch Morar Lovat’s party rowed rapidly up the loch, and got on shore, but after three days’ concealment, the old lord, unable from infirmities to continue the struggle, determined to give himself up, sent word to his pursuers and surrendered to Captain Dugald Campbell of Achacrossan of the Argyll Militia.
[490] Fuyia, which I have corrected from Fugia in the N. M. Maga , as it is a manifest error of the copyist or printer Fuyia gives the local pronunciation of the name of the island, which is generally spelt Ouia in the Lyon, and Wiay in the Ordnance Survey maps It is spelt Fouay on p 253
[491] Alexander Macdonald of Boisdale (Clanranald’s stepbrother) was carried prisoner to London, and kept there until July 1747, when he was released.
[492] This was Boisdale’s third wife, Anne, daughter of Macneil of Barra.
[493] Captain Carolina Frederick Scott shares with Ferguson and Lockhart eternal infamy for his superlative cruelty to the hunted Jacobites of the Western Highlands I found his name and that of Ferguson still perfectly remembered in the Outer Hebrides, and received with execrations He was an officer of Guise’s regiment, the 6th (now the Royal Warwickshire) His satanic zeal, like Ferguson’s, was rewarded with promotion In November 1746 he was appointed major in his regiment in the room of Major Wentworth, who was cashiered for surrendering Fort Augustus to the Jacobites (March 5th), when three companies of Guise’s regiment were made prisoners of war.
[494] Meaning Captain O’Neille
[495] This is the Beinchillkoinnich of the Lyon (i. 329), the Beinn Ruigh Choinnich of the Ordnance Survey; a hill on the north side of Loch Boisdale, 900 feet high, from whence the low-lying country of South Uist can be viewed from sea to sea. On the northern spur there is a cave accessible only by a precipitous narrow ledge, where shelter from the weather
could be had and an outlook to the Minch. Local tradition associates this cave with the Prince. He possibly took shelter there on this momentous day South Uist, even in summer, is a very rainy island
[496] Hugh Macdonald of Armadale, in Skye, was Flora Macdonald’s step-father. He was a grandson of Sir James ‘Mor’ Macdonald of Sleat, and was thus a first cousin of Sir Alexander’s father, and of Lady Clanranald’s father, as well as of Baleshare and Mrs. Campbell of Scalpa. He was a captain in one of Sir Alexander Macdonald’s independent companies out against Prince Charles. He had formerly been an officer in the French army. (Henderson’s Life of Cumberland, p. 299.)
[497] Daughter of Alexander (Montgomerie), 9th Earl of Eglinton. Married as his second wife to Sir Alexander Macdonald of Sleat; d. 1799.
[498] At Alisary, on the slopes of Sheaval, a hill to the south of Loch Eynort, and rising to the north-east from Flora’s old home of Milton (or Arrivoulin) on the low ground near the ocean This was the hill pasture of her brother’s farm to which the cattle were driven in summer, while the owners occupied ‘shielings’ or temporary huts in the neighbourhood. It was an excellent place to meet. The western side of the island is a wide belt of dead level links formed by the sand thrown up by the swell of the Atlantic, and known as ‘the Machar.’ No wayfarer on the Machar could easily escape detection even if he were miles away, and it was the night of the full moon. Flora’s shieling was near the western end of the hill region of South Uist, and just about as far west as the Prince could have dared to go without losing the shelter of the hills.
[499] Benbecula, that part of the ‘Long Island’ lying between North and South Uist, and joined to these islands by sea-fords passable only at low tide and thus easily guarded.
[500] I found that the custom of nick-naming local notabilities after distinguished statesmen still exists When I was visiting these islands fifteen years ago I met a crofter known as ‘Gladstone’ on account of his financial ability and his persuasive powers of (Gaelic) oratory, and there were others whose nick-names I have forgotten
[501] I obtained a very interesting confirmation of this story from an aged cailliach when in the islands. She told me that a
family of Campbells, who lived near Loch Eynort or Loch Skipport, had rowed the Prince and Neil MacEachain to Benbecula, and that the Prince was furiously angry with them; but her explanation of his anger was that the boatmen were Campbells, a name not beloved in the Outer Hebrides: no one had ever thought of the terrifying effect of a tidal island on a stranger Cf R L Stevenson’s Kidnapped, ch xiv
[502] A tenant who takes stock from the landlord and shares with him in the increase.
[503] Clanranald’s residence in Benbecula
[504] A hill named Rueval, 400 feet above sea level, the only high ground on a very flat island. A projecting rock, on the south side of the hill, which gives considerable shelter and affords a wonderful view of the country, is probably the spot where the Prince lay waiting for Flora
[505] John Campbell of Mamore; b. about 1693; d. 1770; suc. as Duke of Argyll on the death of his cousin, the 3rd duke, in 1761. He had command of the troops in the west of Scotland in 1745, with headquarters at Dumbarton. He pursued Prince Charles through the islands, hunting for him as far away as St. Kilda. He was on his way back from that island when he nearly captured the Prince at Benbecula. Many of the Jacobite prisoners passed through his hands, and, as a rule, he was kind to them, contrasting favourably with such men as Scott and Ferguson
[506] Spelt Loch Uskavagh in the Ordnance Survey.
[507] i e Neil MacEachain
[508] The home of Sir Alexander of Sleat at this time was Monkstat House (also spelt Mongstat, Mougstot and other variations), in the parish of Kilmuir, Trotternish. It was built on the site of an ancient monastic foundation near the shores of a lake named Columbkill, since then drained and parcelled into crofts. The ancient home of the family was Duntulm Castle, about five miles north of Monkstat, but during the troubles of the Revolution it is said to have been burnt by a party landed from a warship Local legendary lore gives various other versions of the reason for abandoning Duntulm By one account the family was driven from the castle by the ghost of Donald Gorm, a sixteenth-century ancestor By another, it was owing to the death of a child of the family, who was killed by a
fall from a window of the castle, which is built on the edge of a precipitous rock overhanging the sea. Monkstat was built in its stead
[509] Alexander Macdonald of Kingsburgh, a senior cadet of the Sleat family, was the 6th in descent from James, a younger son of Donald Gruamach, 6th in descent from John, Lord of the Isles and the Princess Margaret. Kingsburgh was Sir Alexander’s factor in 1746. His house was on Loch Snizort, about eight miles south of Monkstat.
[510] The garrison belonged to the Macleod Militia, and the officer in command was Alexander, son of Donald Macleod of Balmeanach.
[511] Robert Craigie of Glendoick, Perthshire; b. 1685; advocate 1710; Lord Advocate 1742-46; Lord President 1754; d 1760
[512] A . 1. Printed in Chiefs of Grant, ii. 144. From Edinburgh, telling of rumours of the Pretender’s eldest son who had sailed from France. Requesting intelligence for government and expressing his belief that Grant will do all in his power to support government.
[513] A 2 C of G , ii 146 Of Grant’s zeal for H M and the government he never doubted First intelligence ridiculously exaggerated, and had delayed military advance, but now Cope will be soon in your neighbourhood which ‘with the assistance of H. M. friends it’s hoped will restore quiet to the country.’
[514] Near Aberfeldy; Cope reached it when marching to the Highlands from Stirling on 23rd Aug He reached Trinifuir the 24th; Dalnacardoch 25th; Dalwhinny 26th
[515] App. 3. Mr. Grant to Sir John Cope, dated 25th Aug.
Upon the first Information I had of the Pretender’s son landing in the north west Highlands I came to this part of the Country, and conveened all the Gentlemen of my name, and gave them Directions to prepare as well as they could to keep the Peace of the Country I and my Friends have had great vengeance denounced against us by those Clans, who are in arms, for the appearance we made for the Government at the Revolution, and in the year 1715 We have been preparing to defend ourselves the best we could; But now all my Fears are dissipate, as I am informed you are marching to attack those
Rebells, when I think of your abilitys and experience, no doubt can remain with me, but that the Highlanders will run before you I wish you from my heart all Success I have sent the Bearer a cousin of mine who has served several years in the army, to give you all the Information he can, and to assure you of my zeal for the Support of his Majestys Service and Government, I am with esteem, Sir, etc
[516] This date is wrong; Cope reached Ruthven 27th August; Dalrachny’s (Carrbridge) 28th August; Inverness 29th August. (See Itinerary and authorities there quoted.)
[517] All this is disingenuous and quite anachronic The Duke of Perth, it is true, had fled from Drummond Castle on 24th July, and taken refuge in Braemar, but he had left long before this, for he was back at Machany in Perthshire on 9th August. (Jac. Lairds of Gask, pp. 103, 104.) Cluny Macpherson at this time had declared openly for government, had accepted a commission as captain in Lord Loudoun’s Highland regiment, and was now actually raising his men for King George. He was seized by Lochiel on 28th August, carried prisoner to Perth, and not released until the 9th or 10th September, when he undertook to join the Prince. He returned to Badenoch, and not until then raised his men for the Stuart Cause The Mackintoshes at this time were arming for King George, under their chief, who was a captain in the Highland regiment (Black Watch); it was not until considerably later that they deserted their chief to join Prince Charles under Lady Mackintosh
[518] Alexander Brodie of Brodie, Morayshire; M.P. Inverness Burghs; appointed Lyon-King-of-Arms 1727; d. 1754. His daughter married John, eldest son of Macleod of the ’45
[519] A . 4. C. of G., ii. 149. A letter of indignant remonstrance. Cope cannot attack highlanders in their passes or strongholds without highlanders to flank the regular troops. If the king’s highland friends fail him we are undone, and all of us must be at the mercy of the rebels. The writer is told that Grant’s people refuse to join him (Grant) if he joins Cope or marches out of his own country. Let him beware of counsels that will lead to his ruin. Grant should not give himself the airs of having a clan that can support and serve the government if when it comes to the push they tell him they won’t go along
with him. Grant had written to Cope expressing his readiness to join and assist him, but he would neither join him nor assist him with one man, nor go near him, although Cope stopped at Aviemore and spent the night at Dalrachny’s (Carrbridge) within ten miles of Grant Rose of Kilravock, Lord Moray, General Cope and President Forbes are all disappointed with him Grant’s uncle, the major (governor of Fort George, Inverness Castle) is very angry It would have been far better if Grant had given no assurances if he were not sure he could fulfil them. The writer is distressed about what people are saying of Grant at Inverness. How glorious it would have been if he had been the first man in the country to join the king’s forces. The President has got two hundred stand of arms for the laird of Mackintosh, who is to join Cope with two hundred men. Munro, Mackays, Sutherland, Seaforth and others are raising their men for government. The writer is to meet Cope and President Forbes on Tuesday (3rd September), what is he to say of or for Grant at that interview?
A separate piece of paper contains this rider, ‘I would not have been so strong if it had not been with a design, that you might show it to those of your own people that I am told are not for leaving your own countrey; so hope you’ll forgive any strong expressions, as my meaning is to serve you.’
[520] Ludovick Grant’s uncle
[521] A . 5. C. of G., ii. 152. Duke of Gordon claims a right to the superiority over Morange, and Glenbucket (the Duke’s former commissioner) was threatening the people if they did not join him.
[522] App 6 C of G , ii 155 Grant’s situation had made it absolutely impossible to wait on Cope when in his neighbourhood; tells of Glenbucket’s movements; also that very few have joined the Pretender’s son north of Badenoch; Glenbucket only got 130 men from Strathdoune (Strathavon) and Glenlivet.
[523] James Ogilvy, eldest son of the 5th Earl of Findlater and 2nd Earl of Seafield; b 1715; suc as 6th Earl 1764; d 1770 He was a brother-in-law of Lord George Murray, being married to his step-sister Lady Mary He was also brother-inlaw to Ludovick Grant, who married (1735) Deskford’s sister, Lady Margaret, a union which two generations later (1811)
brought the Earldom of Seafield (but not of Findlater) to the Grant family.
[524] A . 7. C. of G., ii. 160. Protests against the granting of one company only, but Lord Deskford has explained and he acquiesces; he names as officers for the independent company Capt., Grant of Rothiemurchus; Lieut., Robert Grant, son of Easter Duthill; Ensign, William Grant, yr., of Dellachapple.
[525] A 8 C of G , ii 160 (From Culloden )
[526] A . 9. C. of G., ii. 162. (From Culloden.)
[527] The Macphersons under Cluny joined the Prince at Edinburgh (nine or ten marches distant) on 31st October The Mackintoshes joined the reserves at Perth (five marches) on 30th October.
[528] Accidentally shot at Falkirk the day after the battle.
[529] A . 10. Angus MacDonell, second son to Glengerry, to the Baillie of Urquhart, dated Delchannie, 30th Sept. This serves to give you notice, that I am this far on my way to Glengerry, and being clad with the Princes orders to burn and harrass all People that does not immediately join the Standart and as I have particular orders to raise your Country, I do by these begg the Favour of you on receipt of this to have at least 100 men ready in 5 days after receipt of this to join my Standart at Invergarry, and tho contrary to my Inclinations, in case of not due Obedience to this my demand, I shall march to your Country with the Gentlemen here in Company, Keppoch’s Brother and Tirnadrish,[659] etc. and shall put my orders in Execution with all Rigour. And as I have the Greatest Regard for Grant and all his Concerns, I begg you’ll neither give your Country nor me any Trouble, I do not chuse to give, and your ready Compliance with this will much oblige him, who is sincerely, Dr. Sir, your most humble servant.
P S Let me have your answer p bearer, which will determine me how to behave
A . 11. Mr. Grant to the Gentlemen of Urquhart, dated Castle Grant, 6th Oct. Auchmony has communicate to me the Subject you have had lately under your deliberation. All the Return I will give you, considering what I formerly wrote to my Chamberlain, and which he communicate to you is this, That
whoever among you dont comply with my directions in this present conjuncture, which is to remain peaceable at home, and to be ready to receive my Directions as your Superior, and as Master of my own Estate, must resolve to obey me at your own Peril And as I have firmly determined that whosoever shall insult me or disturb any part of my Estate shall meet with the Returns such an Insult shall merite I am hopefull none of my neighbours will act a part by me, which I could not nor cannot allow myself to think them capable of I cannot conceive the least title any man can have to command any of my vassals or Tenants, but myself, therefore whoever deserts me to follow any other at this Time, I must look upon it as a disobedience to me, which I will never forgive or forget to them and theirs. I am perfectly persuaded all the tenants will adhere and keep firm to me, if they are not led astray by bad advice, which I hope they will not follow. I am, Gentlemen, your Friend and will continue so, if not your own Fault.
A 12 The Baillie of Urquhart to Mr Grant, dated Bellmackaen, 8th Oct —In obedience to your orders I convened all the Tenents of this Country this day, in order to March them to Strathspey, and there was only 60 or 70 of the Tenents, that agreed to go with me. Dell and I came with all the men that joined us the length of Drumbuie, so far on our way to Strathspey, and Coll MacDonald and all the Gentlemen of this Country came up with us there, and one and all of the Gentlemen but Sheuglie and his son swore publickly to the Tenents, if they did not return immediately or two nights thereafter, that all their Corns would be burnt and destroyed, and all their Cattle carried away And when the Tenents were so much threatned by the Gentlemen as well as by Mr MacDonald, they would not follow me one foot further And upon the Tenents returning Mr MacDonald assured me, that this Country would be quite safe from any hurt from him and not only so; but as some of the Gentlemen that came north with him, had the same orders as he had to destroy this Country, if we did not join them, he sincerely assured me, he would do all he could to prevent these Gentlemen from coming. And if he could not prevail upon them to keep back, that he would run me an Express in a few days to put me on my guard, and acquaint me of their coming; but one thing I assure you of e’er ten days that this Country will be ruined. Lord Lovat has not appointed a day for his marching as yet; for
I am told that he has the Meal to make that he carrys along with him for his Men’s subsistance. There is a Report here this day that there is 2000 French landed at Cromarty last Saturday with Prince Charles Brother You’ll please let me have your advice how to behave; for I am in a very bad situation Please excuse this confused Letter, being in haste and ever am, Honourable sir, Your most faithfull hubl sert
P. Auchmony[660] did not act a right part.
A . 13. Mr. Grant to the Chamberlain of Urquhart, dated Castle Grant, 10th Oct. I received yours of the 8th this day about Dinner Time. I am not at all surprised at the Conduct of the Gentlemen of Urquhart; for as they seem determined to disobey my repeated Orders, they want to prevail with my Tenents to do so likeways. However now that they must have heard, that General Legonier with at least 18,000 of our troops that have come from Flanders and the Dutch, and that there is 12,000 Danes, and the Remainder of the British Troops dayly expected, and that nobody even at Edinburgh pretended to say, that the French can spare any of their troops, I fancy they will soon see their Folly, and they must be satisfied in a little Time, I will make them repent their Conduct, and they will see the numbers they believed would join the Rebells, dwindle to a very few, if any at all Whenever you hear any Motions among your neighbours make the best of your way for this Place and see to bring these men with you, who were coming last day and as many more as you can, and assure them I will see what Losses they sustain repaid. And shall do all in my power afterwards to save them when others must fly the country. Dont let any of the Gentlemen know the day you design to march over with the men, other ways they might bring a Possy to stop you, which will not be in their Power if you be upon your Guard. I think you ought to have Spyes in the neighbouring Countries. See that you get money from the Tenents, who are due, that we may clear when you come over
[530] A . 14. C. of G., ii. 170. (From Inverness.) Claims Grant as a relation and friend whom he finds, with great satisfaction, acting so distinguished a part. The king has appointed Loudoun to command the troops in this country; it gives him the greatest pleasure to know that he has so powerful and faithful a friend to support him in time of need.
[531] A . 15. C. of G., ii. 171. (From Culloden.) Urging Grant to press forward his company; any expense after his men are brought together shall be made good Believes that ‘the thing will blow over without much harm,’ but Grant should have his eye on as many of his people as he can arm, to be ready for any emergency; ‘ways and means shall be fallen on to subsist them ’
[532] A . 16. C. of G., ii. 175. Mr. Grant’s heart is full of zeal for the preservation of our religion and liberties, and will exert himself to do everything in his power for H. M. service, and is perfectly happy ‘that we who are the friends of government’ have Loudoun to advise and direct us. The delay in his company’s joining Loudoun is caused by all his clan vassals being ready, and he wishes the company to be all volunteers He foresees that there will be occasion to convene all his men and he wants Rothiemurchus with him, and asks for certain alterations in the commissions to his officers All the men of his company will have swords and most of them pistols and dirks Hopes to capture Capt Gordon, who is levying cess on his party as their arms will be useful. He is determined to let none of the clans now in motion enter his county.
[533] A 17 John Grant in Urquhart to Mr Grant, dated 21st Oct The MacDonalds and Glenmoristones came into this Country Saturdays night late, and Sundays morning And this day we expected the Master of Lovat with 200 men to join the MacDonalds, who were in number six score, in order to spreath [ravage] the Country, if the whole people did not join them. The countrymen were all acquainted to meet this day at Milntown, but few of them attended. And as the Master did not come this day, as he appointed, sent word that he would be here tomorrow morning, so that I am made to understand, that they design to raise all their Cattle, and by that method are of opinion, that the men will come present, and condescend to march directly to the army before their Effects are carried off, but I made the Bearer, who is the only one I could trust in, advise the People to keep at a distance and allow them to carry off their cattle, as I assured them that you would repay them in what damage they might suffer that way I cannot acquaint you at this Time of the Gentlemens Disposition, but tomorrow I shall send an Express, and give you a full account of our Fate Belintombs house was attacked; but I procured a party from the Colonel to guard it this night Is all on haste but
that I remain as becometh, Honble Sir your most ob humble servant
I am informed they design to march by Inverlaidnan. Barrisdale came this day from the north to this country; but did not bring any men alongst with him.
A 18 John Grant in Urquhart to Mr Grant, dated 22nd Oct.—The most of the Countrymen met this day at Bellymore where Barrisdale came with a Commission from his Colonel to them, assuring if they did not join him, that he was fully resolved to spreath the whole Country. They all unanimously replyed that in any Event, they would not disobey their masters orders and his positive commands to them to sit peaceable at home, and swore that while there was a drop of Blood in their Bodys, they would not allow the Macdonalds to carry off their Cattle. In a short Time thereafter the Master of Lovat accompanied with all the Stratherrick Gentlemen came to Milntown, and after a long Conference with Mr MacDonald of Barrisdale, he agreed that the MacDonalds in the Country might be compelled to join the Colonel, as he was not in readiness to march his men this week, but in the Event that this did not satisfy Mr MacDonald, he was to come in person with 200 men tomorrow, to prevent their carrying off the Cattle, and secure the rest of the men for his own use, as he believed he had a better Title to them than any MacDonald in life. As they could not agree upon the above terms, Barrisdale went with the Master to Castle Downie to know my Lord’s sentiments, and act accordingly. As this happens to be the case we are as yet uncertain of our Fate, but shall to the outmost of our Power, resist the MacDonalds if not assisted by the Frasers Is all but that I remain as becometh, Honourable Sir, Your most obedt humble servt
[534] A 19 C of G , ii 179 (From Culloden ) A letter to Lord Deskford from the Lord President countersigned by Lord Loudoun. In addition to what Grant quotes, they cannot understand the unaccountable folly of his people that they deliberate in entering the company and hope that they may be persuaded to form it forthwith.
[535] A 20 Lord Lewis Gordon to Mr Grant, dated St Bridget,[661] 3rd Nov. I take this opportunity to assure you of the Esteem and Regard I have for yourself and all your Family, and that I shall be always glad to do all in my Power to maintain the good Correspondence that has so long subsisted between the Familys of Grant and Gordon. And as you are very sensible of the Situation of Scotland at present, I shall take this occasion of delivering you the Prince Regents Complements, and how much he would be obliged to you for your aid at this important Time; and if you dont appear active yourself, that you would not oppose the rising of your Clan, which is so capable of Serving the King and Country I hope you will be so good, as to consider this seriously, and to excuse this Liberty from a Friend, who does it with a pure Intention of Serving his Country I begg my Complements to Lady Margaret and all your Family, as also to Lord and Lady Findlater and Lord Deskfoord, to whom please tell, that what I am to do for the Princes Cause in Banffshire, shall be executed in the mildest and easiest manner in my Power. Glenbucket will deliver this to you, and believe me to be, Dr. Sir, with great Sincerity Your most affectionate ffriend and Servant.
[536] This was the ancestral home of the family of John Roy Stewart, the Jacobite soldier-poet
[537] A . 21. C. of G., ii. 184. (From Inverness.) Grant’s company had arrived the previous day, was a very good one, the best clothed Loudoun had seen. Was sorry that Lord Lewis Gordon had risen, but the Duke (of Gordon) had given orders to his people not to join him Few had done so If Grant were attacked his own power should make Lord Lewis repent; if not strong enough Loudoun would do what he could for him
[538] A . 22. C. of G., ii. 183. (From Culloden.)
[539] A 23 C of G , ii 186 (From Castle Grant )
[540] A . 24. C. of G., ii. 187. (From Inverness.) Lord Loudoun declines to send the company back to Mr. Grant, as he proposes to march through Stratherrick to Fort Augustus
[541] Thomas Grant of Achoynanie, Keith, afterwards of Arndilly, a cadet of Grant of Grant, best known as the early patron of James Ferguson the astronomer. (Henderson, Life of Ferguson, p. 18.)
[542] Alexander Grant of Tochineal, near Cullen
[543] A . 25. Lord Lewis Gordon to Thomas Grant of Auchynany, dated Huntly Castle, 6th Dec. As Lord Lieutenant of the Countys of Aberdeen and Banff, I am to raise a man for each £100 of valued Rent within the same, and where Fractions happen the same is to yield a Man. I hope, therefore, you will be so good as to send to Keith Tuesday next such a number of ablebodied men, as will answer to the Valuation of your estate well cloathed in short cloaths, Plaid, new Shoes, and three pair of hose and accoutred with shoulder belt, gun, pistol and sword I have appointed a proper officer to attend at Keith the above day for receiving the men I need not tell a man of your good sense and knowledge the hazard of not complying with the demand. Your Prudence will no doubt direct you to avoid hardships of military execution, wherein you’ll extremely oblige, Sir, your most humble servant.
A 26 C of G , ii 190 Thomas Grant of Auchynanie to Mr Grant, 11th Dec (From Arndillie ) Lord Lewis Gordon has only 300 men, and of these only 100 have joined: mostly herds and hire-men from about Strathbogie and unacquainted with the use of arms; many of them are pressed and intend to desert; 100 or 150 of Grant’s men would drive them to the devil, and capture Lord Lewis and his prime minister Abbachy (Gordon of Avochie). Lord Findlater’s tenants and the people of Keith are being ruined by Abbachy and look to Grant as their only saviour. If Lord Loudoun would take possession of old Balveny Castle it would spoil Lord Lewis’s recruiting.
A . 27. Lord Findlater’s Steward[542] to his Lordship, dated 11th Dec. I had a Letter from John Saunders in Keith upon Sabbath day night, informing me that there had 60 of Lord Lewis men come to that place upon Saturdays night, under command of one White and that he and others in that place much wanted advice what to do. To whom I wrote for