Read on Twitter
Scottish Women - The Story of Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald, is regarded as one of the most romantic in Scottish History.
Flora MacDonald is famously known for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from Scotland after the defeat of the Jacobiteâs in the Battle of
Flora MacDonald is famously known for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from Scotland after the defeat of the Jacobiteâs in the Battle of
Culloden in 1746.
Bonnie Prince Charlie [Prince Charles Edward Stuart] led the second Jacobite Uprising of 1745 to overthrow King George II. The part that Flora played in the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie âover the sea to Skyeâ is immortalised in the âSkye Boat Songâ,
Bonnie Prince Charlie [Prince Charles Edward Stuart] led the second Jacobite Uprising of 1745 to overthrow King George II. The part that Flora played in the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie âover the sea to Skyeâ is immortalised in the âSkye Boat Songâ,
published in 1884:
â Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing,
Over the sea to Skye,
Carry the lad thatâs born to be King,
Over the sea to SkyeâŠâ
â Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing,
Over the sea to Skye,
Carry the lad thatâs born to be King,
Over the sea to SkyeâŠâ
So goes the famous Skye Boat Song, which owes its origins to the daring mission of mercy undertaken by Flora MacDonald, a young Highland woman who risked her life out of compassion for a fugitive Prince who had staked everything on a bid to win a kingdom and lost.
Flora MacDonaldâs adventure with âBonnie Prince Charlieâ began in 1764 on the Outer Hebridean island of South Uist. Floraâs benefactor, Lady Clanranald, was a Jacobite sympathiser, so Flora was kept closely informed of the Princeâs whereabouts after the defeat of his troops at
Culloden. Although not an ardent Jacobite supporter herself, Flora was touched by the unfortunate plight of the Prince, who now had a price of ÂŁ30,000 on his head, was being hunted all over the Highlands and Islands by government soldiers. So when a plan was hatched to
smuggle the Prince to the relative safety of Skye, Flora agreed to play a part in it.
In June 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie finally landed on South Uist with a couple of loyal supporters. There they met Flora, and arrangements were made to disguise the Prince as
In June 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie finally landed on South Uist with a couple of loyal supporters. There they met Flora, and arrangements were made to disguise the Prince as
âBetty Burkeâ, an Irish maidservant, and conduct him to Skye. After a few daysâ preparation, they sailed in a small boat âover the sea to Skyeâ, just as the militia landed nearby. The Prince was dressed in a calico gown, quilted petticoat and headdress to disguise his face.
After landing safely on Skye, the Princeâs perilous wanderings continued for a few more weeks, until finally he managed to escape mainland Scotland on a ship bound for France. He and Flora were destined never to meet again.
Shortly afterwards, Flora was imprisoned in
Shortly afterwards, Flora was imprisoned in
London for her part in the âYoung Pretenderâsâ escape, but she was soon released and became a society heroine, for even then the story of her courage captured the imagination of the public. She was even introduced to the Prince of Wales, and had her portrait painted by
fashionable artists of the day.
Flora married the son of McDonald of Kingsburgh and emigrated with him to North Carolina, where he became a Brigadier General on the royalist side in the American War of Independence. He was taken prisoner there but eventually he and Flora
Flora married the son of McDonald of Kingsburgh and emigrated with him to North Carolina, where he became a Brigadier General on the royalist side in the American War of Independence. He was taken prisoner there but eventually he and Flora
returned once more to his ancestral home, Kingsburgh, on Skye.
Flora MacDonald died in Skye in 1790, and her grave can be seen today, not far from the place where she first landed with âthe lad who was born to be Kingâ.
Flora MacDonald died in Skye in 1790, and her grave can be seen today, not far from the place where she first landed with âthe lad who was born to be Kingâ.
(1722 - 1790) https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/jacobite-1745/flora-macdonald/
