NEIL MACEACHAIN'S NARRATIVE
OF THE WANDERINGS OF PRINCE
CHARLES IN THE HEBRIDES
THE WANDERINGS OF PRINCE CHARLES IN THE HEBRIDES
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HE unfortunate
battle of Culloden
being fought upon the 16th of April, 1746, his royal highness seeing
that the day was irrecoverably lost, concluded that his only business was to
endeavour the saving of himself out of the hands of his enemies: whereupon,
having retired to a neighbouring eminence, hard by the place of action, accompanied
by a few of Fitz-James's horse, there, having made a little stop, not knowing
whither to direct his course when luckily one Ned Bourke, the servant of one
Alexander MacLeod, son of Mr. John MacLeod, of Muiravine Side, rode
accidentally by them, thinking to find his master among them, whom he had not
seen since the beginning of the battles. His master (who happened to be there
present with the prince), knowing him to be very well acquaint with all the
different roads of the highlands, ordered him to lead them the safest and
surest road to Glengarry. Whereupon the prince, accompanied by Master O'Sullivan,
Mr. Allan MacDonald priest, and the said Alexander MacLeod, marched westward, and
arrived that night about eight o'clock to Gortuleg’s house, a gentleman of the
name of Thomas Fraser, in Stratherrick,
where he met, as it was said, with my Lord Lovat, and supped with him there that
night.
After
supper the prince reckoning it dangerous to stay so very near the enemy, the
first night, we resolved to continue his journey towards Glengarry; about break
of day, finding himself quite fatigued and worn out for want of rest, he
consulted with his fellow-travellers, whither he might repair with most safety
to take some hours repose. They all concluded that the Castle of Invergarry
was the surest and safest place for that purpose, and a great conveniency of
concealment, and (that he) might repose himself without any fear (there) till
such time as he and his party should take further resolutions. Being then
prevailed upon by these reasons, he immediately repaired thither, where he was
received by Glengarry with the greatest pleasure. When he sufficiently
refreshed himself he took a resolution to proceed still further, fearing to
stay long in one place. He departed that same day from Glengarry, being the 17th,
in the evening, and continued his route towards Lochaber, and came that
night to Donald Cameron[1],
of Glenspean’s
house[2],
where he passed the remaining part of the night.
Next
day being the 18th, he set out for the Braes
of Morar, and arrived in the evening at Angus MacEachan's[3]
house, son to Alexander MacEachan, of Druimindarroch.
He was so much fatigued that night that he could neither eat nor drink, and
required the help of a man to support him to his bed. The next day, being the
19th, he ventured to pass the whole day in a wood near the house, in
order to recruit more strength for a night walk; and accordingly when it was
late, he set out for Arisaig, where he arrived about six in the morning, and
went straight to Angus MacDonald's house in Borrodale, where he
quartered, after his landing, till he marched out of the country. At his
arrival here, he found a great many MacDonalds assembled together, who had
lately escaped out of the battle of Culloden gentlemen of both
Glengarry's and Clanranald's families. During the eight days he stayed in that
country, he had daily conferences with young Clanranald, Colonel MacDonald of Barrisdale,
and several others of both families, treating which was the safest place, and
surest method for his concealment. After they had satisfied him as to that,
they protested, and assured him he should have nothing to fear, that they would
stand by him if he only would stay among them to the last man. With this he
seemed to be very much satisfied, till Mr. O'Neil and O'Sullivan, by the advice
of Mr. Allan MacDonald, and one Donald MacLeod, of Gualtergil, persuaded him in
a private council, to quit that country for good, and all; and as there was no appearance
of succeeding further, and that they lost all hopes of gaining the point they
once undertook, it was better to run for the Lewis,
where Donald promised to procure a ship for them as far as the Orkneys,
and there, he assured them to find a ship to transport them to France. The prince
being prevailed upon by these convincing reasons, ordered a ten-oar boat
belonging to Angus MacDonald of Borrodale, to be
seized upon, and without any further consultation, he put to sea about six
o'clock at night, accompanied only by these persons who were the authors of the
new scheme, without acquainting anybody of any such design, till they were seen
fairly under sail off the coast.
This
night's voyage was like to cost them dire; for they were not long at sea when
there came on such a terrible roaring of thunder, preceded by such dreadful flashes
of lightning, accompanied with a prodigious pouring of rain, so that the whole
elements seemed to rebel against them, and threatened to send them every moment
to eternity; the wind, which continued to blow fair the whole night, coming
about to the north, quite contrary to their course, about twelve o'clock at
night, made them despair of continuing their intended voyage any further, and
so they prepared for death, as being sure to be shattered upon the rocks of the
nearest shore. Amidst all these dangers he appeared intrepid, and offered his service
to Donald MacDonald and Donald MacLeod, seeing they were the only two that was
of any service in the boat, whilst all the rest was obliged to give it up,
stiffened and benumbed with cold. They continued in that agony the whole night,
'till about break of day, when Rory MacDonald, who stood at the helm all the time,
discerning Benbecula
where he knew to be one of the best harbours on that coast, and the wind
blowing astern of them, he piloted them into the harbour of Rossinish,
within five long miles of Clanranald's
house, which being Sunday, and the 27th of April.
They
were no sooner landed but they were seen by a herd of Clanranald's who stayed
in the place always to take care of his master's cattle, and seeing a number of
men finely clad, and fully armed, supposing them to be an enemy, he immediately
made off, with a nimble pair of heels, and carried the news of what he had seen
to his master, as he was at dinner with Mr. John Macaulay, Neil MacDonald, and
several other gentlemen. Clanranald, moved by this unexpected surprise, before
he resolved upon anything, sent Donald MacDonald to know the certainty of what
the herd had told him. Master MacAulay, who was parish minister in the country,
to satisfy his own curiosity sent one of his auditors to learn what they were,
from whence they came, and where they were bound for. This fellow, pretending
to have been sent thither by Clanranald, upon a report of a boat's being landed
there, and to examine what they were, learned it was the prince who designed to
make for the Lewis
in order to make his escape, who came back and told the minister the same. The
minister judging that he could not meet with a better opportunity to show his zeal
and affection for the government, dispatched a courier that same day away to
the Harris,
with a letter to his father, who was minister there, charging him to write immediately
upon receipt of his letter, to Mr. Colin MacKenzie, established minister at Stornoway,
informing him of the same, and ordering him to settle all measures with Seaforth's
factor there to apprehend the prince at his first landing.
Donald
MacDonald, who was sent by Clanranald to learn the strength of the enemy, as it
was believed, having returned, acquainted him of the matter of fact, assuring, he
spoke to Mr. Allan MacDonald, who ordered him to tell Clanranald to come and
see him, as he designed to go off that night. Whereupon Clan and Neil MacDonald
went privately out of the town, and took their way straight to Rossinish,
where they found the prince, in the house with Mr. O'Sullivan, O'Neil, Mr. Allan
MacDonald, and Donald MacLeod. The prince received him very kindly, after
having communicated to him his design he took leave of him, and put to sea
again that night, with the same persons that accompanied him thither. The
heavens proved more favourable to them that night than the former, having met
with no danger or opposition, and at daybreak they came in to Loch
Maddy, in North
Uist, where they skulked the whole day, being the 29th, seeing they
durst not venture to sea in the daytime, for fear to be discovered by the
several men of war that guarded the coast at that time. They set out from Lochmaddy
about six o'clock, which was the ordinary hour they always departed, and landed
in Scalpay,
in the Harris,
early next morning, being the 30th of April.
Before
they came near a house they took borrowed names and employments. Master O'Sullivan
took that of Captain Sinclair, the prince called himself William Sinclair, the
captain's son, O'Neil changed his name into Neilson, and mate Master Allan named
himself Dalrumple, and Rosman, and Donald MacLeod, master of the boat that brought
them thither, and swore the crew to attest the same.
After
this ceremony was over, they came to Donald Campbell's house, who was the most responsible
gentleman in that part of the country, but an enemy by his name, and a
downright hypocrite in his heart; and being asked by their landlord what they
were, they told him they were sea-faring men from the Orkneys,
who being homeward bound from Ireland, lost their ship near the Mull
of Kintyre, and most of their crew, and were thereupon forced to freight
their present boat and crew from Mull, as far as the Lewis,
where they hoped to find a vessel to transport them safe home to their own
country. The next day, being the 2nd of May, they sent Donald MacLeod
away to Stornoway
before them to have a ship ready freighted, and to get intelligence how the
people stood affected, and to send them word accordingly; which project would
have had the intended success, were it not for the imprudence of Donald, and
MacAulay's malicious letter. As soon as he was arrived at Stornoway
he set about putting his commission in execution, and discharged himself so
well of that duty, that he got a ship freighted that same evening, and wrote
back to the prince, who remained still at Scalpay,
to repair thither as soon as possible, but unwarily having gone to drink a
bottle with the captain of the ship, reposing too much trust in him, he
disclosed to him all the secret, whereupon the captain told him, if he should
load the ship with gold he would not employ her for that purpose: Having said
this, he went and published in all the streets of the town that the pretender (as
he called him) was to come to town privately next night, and if Mr. MacLeod had
not escaped out of the town he had certainly been apprehended that night. The prince,
who knew nothing of what was passing before him, he set out upon the 3rd
of May for Stornoway
afoot, leaving orders with his crew to return home to the mainland and restore
the boat to the owner. That day he suffered a vast deal of cold and fatigue,
the day being so extreme bad; Donald MacLeod met him about a quarter of a mile
without the town, and told him it was dangerous for him to venture into it by
reason they all got notice of his approach, and were in an uproar all under
arms, and that all this was the effect of Mr. MacAulay's letter.
The
prince, raging with anger and fear, retired that night to my Lady Kildun's
house, which lay about half a mile of without the town, and there he passed the
remaining part of the night, notwithstanding that a great many of the mob made
a dreadful noise about the house a great part of the night. Having held a
consultation with the lady what was properest to be done, she told him that his
only safety consisted in returning to Benbecula
again, under Clanranald’s protection, since his project in coming thither
misgave. In order thereunto, she procured them a boat to cross Loch Stornoway,
which was a nearer cut to return to Scalpay;
where he left his boat and crew, having taken leave of the worthy lady, he set
out about four o'clock in the morning, crossed the Loch, and arrived back at
Donald Campbell's house, that night, which was the 4th of May[4].
He was no sooner arrived but he found all the crew was gone except two, upon
account the country people threatened to apprehend them.
The
prince fearing to make a stay in any man's house, who found out what he really
was, and reckoning it impracticable to find as many men as would manage his own
boat so soon as he would require them, especially in the heart of an enemy's
country, he bought a small boat from Donald Campbell, whom it was said he
bribed by giving him a sum of money for to hold his tongue, and disown that he
knew what he was. It seemed very difficult for them now to get safe into Benbecula,
by reason the channel was pestered with the English navy, sent there on purpose
to hinder the prince or any of his party to make their escape. He set out upon
the 5th from Scalpay,
and rowed along the coast the whole night; as they passed the mouth of the
Finnasvay bay, they observed a ship in the harbour which they believed to be
the Baltimore sloop of war, Thomas Howe Captain, a brother to my Lord Howe in
Ireland, and being seen from aboard the Baltimore she immediately sent off one
of her long boats in pursuit of them, and chased them the whole night; about 5 o’clock
in the morning she came up pretty close to them, the prince terrified at the
approach of the enemy begged of the rowers to pull away strongly for fear to
fall a sacrifice in the hands of these ravenous wolves, whereupon they ran in
upon a ridge of rocks they observed betwixt them and the land, and there skulked
close by one of the rocks to observe what course the Baltimore was to take next,
while all of a sudden they saw her change her course, not able to find them
out. Despairing of success she returned to her harbour.
The
prince and his party, taking fresh courage, being free from danger that day,
they determined as it was near day to draw nearer the land, and skulk there,
'till it was late, that the men might refresh themselves, for the fatigue of
the ensuing night; they approached to the shore, and found it to be a deserted
island, about two leagues from the continent of the Harris,
where they found no living creature. They were turned of provisions so short
that a lippie of gradan oatmeal[5]
was all that remained to them to satiate their hungry appetites, which some of
the men took, put some water about it with a little salt, and fell a eating of
it. The prince seeing them eat it as hearty as if it had been better cheer, asked
them whither it tasted better than it looked, they answered if he would only try
it, he would be as well pleased with it as what they were, whereupon, calling
for a little of it, he eat it as contentedly as the most delicate dish that ever
was served upon his table, saying at the same time that it tasted pretty well,
considering the ugly appearance it made. It was not long after, when Providence
cast more plenty in their way, for one of the crew, who was more curious than
the rest, having gone to take a view of the island, found in the farther end of
it abundance of cod and ling, half a barrel of salt and a pot. Although they
were starving the whole day for hunger, yet they durst not make a fire, by
reason they thought it dangerous to raise a smock upon the island, lest being
seen from the continent it might discover them. When it grew dark the prince
ordered the crew to carry some of the fish to the boat, when not a man, either
simple or gentle obeyed him, he himself went in a passion, and carried half a dozen
of them in his arms, and threw them in the boat, saying since they were all so
gentle and scrupulous, that he would take the sin upon himself, and show them
the example; the whole crew dashed and confused, would have loaded the boat if
he permitted them. Now being about six o'clock, they put to sea, and landed in Benbecula
the next day, a little after sunrise, in the very same harbour which they left
some days before the 6th of May.
He
set his foot no sooner ashore[6]
a but he sent an express for Clanranald, who came next night, having taken none
with him but Neil MacDonald, who was there with him before. Upon Clanranald's
arrival, he seemed quite easy and told him that Providence had sent him under
his protection, where he hoped to be sheltered, and that he was to throw
himself in his hands to dispose of him as he thought fit. Clanranald assured
him he had nothing to fear, and that he would find a place for his concealment,
where none should have the least opportunity to see him, but such as he should
employ to carry to him whatever he wanted.
After
he had sufficiently refreshed himself for some days, it was thought dangerous
to make any longer stay at Rossinish,
because being a place much frequented by boats from the neighbouring country,
they would be soon discovered; for this reason, he was conducted from thence to
Bareness, about three miles from Rossinish,
where he had the conveniency of a little hut of a house that was in the place,
the entry of which was so very narrow, that he was forced to fall upon his
knees, and creep in upon his belly, as often as he entered. This habitation not
pleasing him, he begged of Clanranald to send him into some Christian place
wherein he could have more room, and use more freedom and ease, for in that
monstrous hole he could never have satisfaction, which he said the devil had
left because he had not room enough in it.
The
next day being the 10th of May, it was determined to send him to Corodale,
a little pleasant glen in South
Uist, belonging to Neil MacDonald, where there were two country houses, and
conveniency enough for his concealment. Neil was appointed for to conduct him
thither, whom he desired to remain still with him. About eleven o’clock at
night, they set out with Neil, who was their faithful guide, towards Corodale,
where they arrived next day about six in the afternoon; when they came near the
house, Neil left him under a rock while he went in to see if there were no
strangers there; and finding none but Ranald, his brother, who had come thither
the day before by Neil's own orders, he presently returned where he left the prince,
and conducted him to the house. He seemed extraordinary well pleased with the
house, which he swore looked like a palace in comparison with the abominable
hole they had lately left. He sat upon a seat of green turf that was made up
for him that same evening, and after taking a refreshment of gradan, bread and cheese,
and goats milk, upon which he fed very hearty, he desired his feet to be
washed, being extremely dirty, and very much galled by his night walk; after
which he smoked a pipe of tobacco and went to bed, which being heather and
green rushes, he slept soundly 'till twelve the next day.
During
this stay at Corodale,
which was five weeks[7],
his ordinary conversation was talking of the army, and of the battle of Culloden, and the highland
chieftains whose lamentable case he deplored very much. One day as he was
taking a walk in the morning with Neil MacDonald only, the subject of their
discourse was describing to Neil the battle of Culloden, wherein he said his
horse was shot under him; for (says he) as I was riding up to the right wing,
my horse began to kick, at which I was much surprised, being very quiet, and
peaceable formerly, and looking narrowly to him to see what was the matter with
him, I observed the blood gushing out of his side. Oh ! oh ! says I (speaking
of the horse), if this be the story with you, you have no less than reason to
be uneasy, whereupon I was obliged to dismount and take another. Then the
conversation rolled upon the order of the battle, and how he was forced to condescend to give the right
hand to the Atholl-men and others, which he knew to be the MacDonald's right,
merely by the persuasion of my Lord George Murray, and several others, but
however he did a great deal of justice and honour to the MacDonalds, by
assuring Neil they were the last that abandoned the field; and, moreover, that
they would have had certainly been cut all to pieces, had not the pickets come
to their relief, to whom he said, they owe an eternal obligation.
He
blamed always my Lord George as being the only instrument in losing the battle,
and although that he, the morning before the action, used all his rhetoric, and
eloquence against fighting, yet my Lord George out reasoned him, 'till at last
he yielded for fear to raise a dissension among the army, all which he
attributed to his infidelity, roguery, and treachery. He always flattered himself
that the highlanders were still upon foot to hinder the enemy from harassing
their country, and conceived great hopes that they would be able to stand it
out, 'till they got a relief from France. He was so fond to know what was
passing among them, that he sent his boat twice to Moidart for intelligence,
and hearing of a skirmish betwixt Cluny MacPherson and a party of the elector's
troops in Badenoch, of which Cluny had the better, it gave him no small joy: he
had notice given him likewise that Barrisdale, upon whose courage and conduct
he lay a great stress, was at the head of about three thousand men in Glen
Quoich. All these, and many such like stories kept him still in top spirits,
together with the expectation of a French landing in England, where he persuaded
himself the Duke of York was landed at the head of ten thousand French, and
assured those who durst not contradict him of the same. It gave him a great
deal of pleasure to look to the ships that passed in the channel every day,
which he flattered himself to be French, though they were really some of the
English fleet sent thither to guard the coast, and hinder any of the
Highlanders to escape, and would have Neil to go and pilot to some harbour that
they might not be lost. It was wonderful how he preserved his health all the
time, notwithstanding all the fatigue and troubles he underwent and the bad
usage he met with very often; for I have not seen him one hour sick all the
time I have had the honour to accompany him, save only eight days he was
troubled with a flux, which kept him very busy while it lasted; he had always a
good appetite, and could eat any meat that came in his way, as well as those
who was accustomed to it from their infancy. He took care to warm his stomach
every morning with a hearty bumper of brandy, of which he always drank a vast
deal; for he was seen to drink a whole bottle of a day without being in the
least concerned.
He
took a vast delight, when it was a good day, to sit up a stone that was before
the door of the house, with his face turned towards the sun; and when he was desired
to move from thence fearing to get a headache, he ordered them to pack about
their business, that he knew himself what was good for him, better than they could
describe, that the sun did him all the good in the world. Notwithstanding his
melancholy fits, yet at other times he was so hearty and merry, that he danced
for a whole hour together, having no other music but some highland reel which
he whistled away as he tripped along. It happened one day as he was walking
along the coast with Neil and the rest of the gentlemen, being an excessive hot
day, they spied a number of young whales approaching pretty near the shore, and
observing them to make straight for the rock whereon they sat down, he sent immediately
for his fusee, and as they came within his reach he fired at them; and being
informed some time before that Neil was an incomparable good swimmer, he ordered
him to strip and haul ashore the whale, which he swore he had shot dead. Neil,
in obedience to his orders and to humour him, began to strip very slowly till
he saw the whale which had received no hurt out of sight.
During
his stay at Corodale,
Clanranald paid him several visits, as also all the gentlemen of the country, who
sent him presents of all they possessed. As he now despaired of any assistance
from abroad, and wishing to be out of the Highlands, he thought of setting
about getting a ship to transport himself out of the kingdom. In order
thereunto, he sent off Mr. O'Neil and Captain Donald MacDonald, Clanranald's
son, who joined him at his return from the Lewis,
in order to go to France, thinking to get passage from the Lewis
privately, to either Sweden or Denmark, from whence they were to pass into
France.
Having
received fifty guineas each to defray their charges, they set out for the Harris,
where they were no sooner arrived but O'Neil, who was there with the prince before,
was immediately known, and if he had not made his escape back to Benbecula,
he had been apprehended without going any further, whereupon he returned to the
prince, who did not care much for him ever after. Captain MacDonald, who
pursued his journey towards the Lewis,
met with the same fate at Stornoway,
there, having found his uncle, Alexander MacLeod, he carried him with him to
his own house, where he lay concealed for a long time after, and returned to
the prince no more.
The
enemy, who was not idle all this time to inform themselves about him, got
sufficient intelligence that he was in Uist,
disposed of themselves so that it seemed impracticable for him to escape. That
he might lose no time, he sent Neil as minister plenipotentiary to Boisdale, to
treat with him to procure a boat for him, and sufficient hands for to manage
it, in case of accidents for now he was to attempt to gain the mainland, seeing
there was no safety for him in Uist.
Boisdale, who did not go near him all the time for fear of suspicion, sent him
back word with Neil, that he himself would come in person and consult with him
what was properest to be done.
Boisdale
came next day, and was received by the prince with open arms, and found some of
the gentlemen of the country who came to see him the day before, of whose number
was Hugh Macdonald, of Baleshare, from North
Uist, who was ready to sacrifice his life and fortune for the prince's
safety (I say), Boisdale at his arrival found all these lying in their bed,
very much disordered by the foregoing night's carouse, while his royal highness
was the only one who was able to take care of the rest, in heaping them with
plaids, and at the same time merrily sung the De Profundis for the rest of
their souls.
Neil,
who was straggling every day about the neighbouring towns for intelligence, and
who never missed to come in seasonable time with what news he gathered among
the people, arrived, as the prince, Boisdale, and the other gentlemen were very
busy and very hearty taking their bottle. It was always the prince’s custom whenever
Neil returned from any expedition, to learn from him privately what news he
brought before it was made public. Neil told him that two hundred of the Skye
militia, headed by Hugh Macdonald, of Armadale, and Alexander MacLeod of Ullinish,
was landed at Barra,
who was sent thither by my Lord Lowdian. Campbell, and MacLeod, having had
information that the prince was skulking in that country, and that these
gentlemen's orders were, after a diligent search made in Barra,
to pass into South
Uist, and to stay there guarding the coasts and fords in the country 'till
they were reinforced by a greater number, and, moreover, that Captain Ferguson
was ordered to the Lewis
for the same purpose, Captain MacKenzie to the Harris,
and the Baltimore to cruise upon the coast of Uist,
so that it seemed next to a miracle to have been able to escape. The prince,
who always appeared very gay and cheerful, notwithstanding his crosses and
misfortunes, was very much dejected at this news; which Boisdale observing,
begged of him to be in no ways uneasy, that the danger was not so great as what
he apprehended, and that he, despite of all the search of the enemy, would
procure a place for him where he would not be exposed to the least danger till
such time as a more favourable opportunity offered for making his escape; and
fearing least the enemy might surprise them, being now three days in the
country, Boisdale took leave of him in order to prevent their coming so
suddenly till he got time to fit into some other place.
Neil
fearing the fickleness and the inconstancy of the common people, who might
perhaps be perverted from their fidelity to discover him to his enemies, in
hopes of a great reward, did not think proper to stay there any longer;
whereupon, having got into their boat, which they always had nigh them, they
set out about eleven o'clock at night, without acquainting anybody of their design,
except those who were partakers of it, and took the retreat towards Benbecula,
and landed about break of day in Wiay,
a deserted island, about three miles from Rossinish,
where they skulked for eight days.
During
their stay in this solitude, he kept a private correspondence with Boisdale
about leaving the country, as it appeared impossible for him to conceal himself
any longer from those cursed villains who left not a stone unturned to find him
out. Boisdale, who used all endeavours to effect his design to get him safely
conveyed to the mainland, lost no time to provide whatever necessaries their
voyage required; when unluckily he himself was taken prisoner and carried away
on board the Baltimore, so that that design perished, and came to nothing.
Upon
the news of Boisdale's being made prisoner he expressed a great deal of regret
for him, saying it was a great pity he should fall into the hands of such
ruffians, who would have no regard for his merit, for really he was the
honestest man (said he) I met with since my stay in the isles. While he stayed
upon the island he went about the shore once or twice a day, to see if he could
find out which was the most commodious hole or cave for hiding him in case some
of the men of war that kept the channel still came to land any men. There he
had occasion to see the Lady Clanranald, who came from Rossinish
to have the honour of seeing him before he left the country, and carried along
with her to him some of what necessaries he wanted: he received her very
kindly, made much of her, and thanked her for her generosity, telling her next
day at parting that he would not forget soon what kindness he met with in the
country. They had plenty of bread and other meats during their retreat in that
Patmos, but before the eight days was expired they were obliged to leave the
hole to another party of the MacLeods who landed upon the island from Skye.
After
being chased from thence they had no other resource but to return towards the
south end of the country, upon hearing that the Skye militia had departed from Boisdale's
house two days before, and were upon their march towards Benbecula,
where they flattered themselves infallibly sure to find him. About eight
o'clock at night, upon the 12th of July, they put to sea from
Lochaskivay, and rowed the whole night along the coast, and as the day began to
dawn Neil advised them to land in Lochskipport,
and to stay there 'till it was late; but the prince, who was eager to be as far
on that day as possibly he could, would not condescend, and so continued their
voyage the whole day. About five in the afternoon they landed at Corodale,
where they refreshed themselves 'till it was ten, and arrived next morning at
sunrise at the mouth of Loch
Eynort, in South-Uist;
they had not so much as one mouthful to eat that night of any kind, and having
made up a tent of the oars and sail of the boat, he laid himself down upon a
kind of a heather bed that was made for him, while Neil stood sentry upon the rock
before the tent door the whole night, after he had placed two of the crew whom
he could trust most to about a mile off as an advanced guard.
When
it was near day he asked Neil whether it was possible to find any meat, who
told him it was impracticable, by reason the nearest town lay five miles off,
whereupon he roused up the rest, and got into the boat and rowed to Stialay, a
small island near the entry of Loch
Boisdale, within three long miles of Boisdale's house, being the 14th
of July in the evening. They were no sooner landed and the tent made, than Neil
posted off immediately to Boisdale's house for provisions; when he arrived, he
found all the family in bed, and having knocked them up, he acquainted Boisdale's
daughter who came first to the door with the prince being upon the Island of
Stialay, where he had but very ill accommodation. She ran into the room where
her stepmother was in bed, bringing Neil along with her, who told the lady the
miserable condition his royal highness was in, she got up in the greatest
hurry, and sent off what was readiest to relieve them in the mean time, 'till
such time she could get more prepared against the next night. Neil returned, charging
the lady at parting, to learn what was passing among the enemy, and to inform
them accordingly.
At
his arrival he found the boat ashore waiting him, and having passed to the
island, the prince met him at his landing, and asked of him if he got any meat.
Neil told him that he brought some fresh butter and cheese and a few bottles of
brandy. “Come, come,” said he, “give me one of the bottles and a piece of the
bread, for I was never so hungry since I was born.”; which being given him, he
took two or three hearty pulls of it before he came near the rest, which gave
him so good an appetite, that he eat that night more than ever he was seen to
eat at three ordinary meals, and all the rest did proportionately. After supper
he called for the brandy bottles, and drank the king's and the duke's health; which
done, he wrapped himself in his plaid, laid down, and slept away the remaining
part of the night very soundly.
Next
morning there was a consultation held concerning the course they were to take
from thence. Some were of opinion that they should venture to run for the
continent in the small boat they had, of which the prince himself approved very
much, saying he would rather drown than fall into the hands of those profligate
fellows who were in pursuit of him. Others were of opinion that the safest step
they could take was, to make for some one of the Southern Isles of Barra,
and the rather because the first party who came after him to the country landed
first in that island, and it seemed very probable that they would not return
there again. They all agreed to this last proposal, and that no time might be
lost, they prepared everything to set off next day, if the weather favoured
them. This project came to nothing as well as the former, for the Lady Boisdale
sent an express that same afternoon, that one Captain Scott was landed at Barra
from Fort
William, with a detachment of regular troops, in order to join the Skye
militia in South-Uist, and that they intended, according as she was informed, to
be at her house by ten o'clock next day, which she would inform him of, if
possible, whatever happened.
This
news put them in a greater consternation than ever, which obliged them to cross
over to the other side of Loch
Boisdale that night for the more security. Next day about break of day, the
prince sent off Rory MacDonald to learn whither Scott was arrived, and to bring
back word what was passing among them. Rory returned at eight o'clock, and told
the prince that the lady, her daughter, and all the servants, were tied neck
and heel in one house, in order to extort a confession from them of the prince's
being in the country; while her seller and all her most valuable effects were
left to the mercy of the ungenerous soldiers, who were busy in carrying the
plunder to their boats. The news of the ladies ill treatment struck such a
terror into the minds of the timorous crew, that they immediately sunk the
boat, and abandoned the prince and the few gentlemen who accompanied him. In
this desperate condition there was no remedy to be thought upon, but to dismiss
the few gentlemen that accompanied till then, and retire to the mountains;
whereupon having left everybody to shift for himself (of whose number was O'Sullivan,
who was left under a rock with the best part of the prince's baggage), the prince,
with Neil and O'Neil, made for the top of the nearest
hill, that from thence they might have a better view of their enemy’s
motion, and take further resolution how they were to dispose of themselves
next.
I
forgot to tell that when Captain Scott landed in South
Uist, Hugh MacDonald, who lay in Benbecula
then with his party, sent one of the country gentlemen in whom he could repose
a great deal of trust, to tell the prince privately that, as it seemed now
impossible for him to conceal himself any longer in the country, if he would venture
to be advised by him, though an enemy in appearance yet a sure friend in his
heart, he would fall upon a scheme to convey him to the Isle of Skye, where he
was sure to be protected by Lady Margaret MacDonald. The scheme was this: to
send his stepdaughter, Miss Florence MacDonald, to Sleet, to live with her
mother 'till the enemy was out of Uist.
The prince at the same time was ordered to dress in woman's clothes, that he
might pass for her servant-maid, and Neil was appointed to take care of both.
The scheme pleased the prince mightily, and he seemed very impatient to see it
put in execution.
But
to return to the top of the hill, the prince with Neil and Mr. O'Neil remained
there the whole day. About sunset the prince told Neil that he entrusted
himself in his hands, and that his life and safety depended upon him, Neil
answered that the charge was more than what his life was worth; but yet, with
God's assistance that he would find means to preserve him from all danger till everything
was got ready to leave the country. After this they took a refreshment of bread
and cheese, and set out towards the north end of the country, everybody carrying
his own share of the baggage, the prince carried his own few shirts, O'Neill
carried his own linen, and Neil carried the provision, his own gun and sword,
and the prince's fusee and one of his holsters, while the other hung upon his
own belt. As they were going on, the prince clapped Neil's shoulder, often
telling him if ever it was their good fortune to get free of their present
troubles, he would make him live easy all his days for the fatigue of that
night. Neil was informed some days before, that Miss Flora lived with her
brother in a glen near Locheynort,
where they had all their cattle a grazing at that time, and which happened to
be very near the road they were to pass that night.
When
the prince was informed of it, he would needs go to see her, and tell her of
the message he had from her stepfather. When they were near the little house
where she was asleep, for her brother was not at home, Neil left the prince and
O'Neil at a distance off, 'till he went in and wakened her; she got scarcely on
the half of her clothes, when the prince, with his baggage upon his back, was
at the door, and saluted her very kindly; after which she brought to him a part
of the best cheer she had, among the rest was a large bowl full of cream, of
which he took two or three hearty go-downs, and his fellow-travellers swallowed
the rest.
He
discovered to her stepfather's proposal, and asked whether she was willing to
run the risk. She joyfully accepted of the offer without the least hesitation,
and that no time might be lost, she was ordered immediately away to Benbecula
to consult with her stepfather and the Lady Clanranald, to get everything in
readiness as soon as possible, and to send them word back again next day how
all was going on with them. Having taken leave of Miss Flora, they pursued
their journey, and about sunrise they arrived upon the side of a hill three
miles from Corodale,
where they sat down under a rock in order to take some rest. The prince, as he
took no victuals the night before, complained of hunger, and asked of Neil if
he had anything to eat; Neil gave him a piece of bread and cheese that Miss
MacDonald had given him the night before. After he eat of it very heartily, he
laid himself down and slept, while Neil stood sentry upon him all the time;
when he and O'Neil was sufficiently rested, he ordered Neil to take some rest,
and sent O'Neil to mount guard in his turn.
When
it was drawn late, the prince asked Neil if there was any possibility of
getting any supper; Neil told him he would find enough, and leaving the prince
and O'Neil under the same rock, he went and bought abundance of such cheer as
the neighbourhood could afford. The prince was prodigious impatient the whole
afternoon for Miss Flora's answer, and despairing to hear a word from her that
night, he sent off Neil, at eight o'clock at night, to Benbecula,
with strict orders to be back next day at four in the afternoon, under pain of
gaining his displeasure forever. Neil, notwithstanding the fatigue and the
length of the journey (which was thirty miles backward and forward), willingly
condescended.
When
he arrived at the fords which separate Benbecula
from South
Uist, he found them all guarded by the Skye militia, who had placed
sentries within a gun shot of each other from east to west; their consign was
to let pass no person whatsoever until he was examined first by the captain of
the guard; by this means Neil was stopped, and was kept prisoner there till
next morning, when it was low water Neil was sent away to the captain of the guard
on the other side, who happened to be Hugh MacDonald; when Neil went in he
found Miss MacDonald, who was stopped in the same manner by another party of
the MacLeods, who had the guard two nights before, with some other gentlemen at
breakfast with Mr. MacDonald. Neil called miss aside, and asked if everything was
ready, she told him as it was put out of her power to go on the length of the
Lady Clanranald, that nothing was as yet done, but that she was going off within
half an hour after to consult with the lady, and designed to go to Rossinish,
both of them, that same afternoon, and carry along with them whatever clothes
or provisions was requisite for the voyage, and she begged of Neil to make all
the haste possible to return to the prince, and, without losing one moment of
time, to make the best of his way to Rossinish,
where he would be sure to find them without fail.
Neil
posted off immediately, and arrived at, the prince at the hour he had
appointed, and found him under the same rock where he had left him; he no
sooner saw Neil come in sight than he ran to meet him, and took him by the hand
asking what news he had from Miss Flora; Neil told him what orders he had from
the lady (as he called Miss Flora), after which they set out for Rossinish.
The greatest difficulty for this journey was to find a boat to go by sea, as it
was impossible to venture by land, because, as I have already told, all the fords
were guarded by the MacLeods; but God, who always provided whatever he had
occasion for, removed this difficulty also, for when they arrived at the side
of Lochskipport, there they found four country people who had come there some
days before to fish, with a small yawl.
Neil
knew them immediately, and agreed with them for to ferry him and two other
gentlemen that were with him over to Fouay, where they expected to meet with
Ranald MacDonald (called Walpole); but when they landed upon the island they
found no living soul of either man or beast upon it; being, at this time, clear
daylight, they could not bring the boat no further, for fear to be seen from
the land, wherefore they ordered the boat men to land them on the nearest rock
of Benbecula,
that from thence they might go afoot to Rossinish,
which done, Neil paid the boatmen and sent them away home.
The
prince sat down upon the rock where they had landed, and, being quite overcome
for want of rest, he fell asleep, and so did O'Neil; during the time they slept
Neil thought proper to take a walk round about for fear that anybody should
come upon them at any unawares; but he had not gone ten yards from them, when
he observed an arm of the sea come in betwixt him and the rest of the land,
which formed an island; he returned immediately and informed the prince, who started
up like a mad man and walked to the end of the island at such a rate as if he
had a mind to fly over to the other side, but his career was soon stopped;
whereupon he fell a scolding Neil as if it had been his fault, and the curse
rascals (meaning the boatmen) who landed them upon that deserted island
designedly that he might starve with hunger and cold, in short, there was no pacifying
him till, at last, Neil told him to comfort himself, that he would swim over to
the other side and would bring a boat in half an hour's time, from that moment he
never gave Neil one minute's rest, till, to please him, he began to strip,
notwithstanding that it rained most prodigiously, when luckily Neil observed a
rock appearing in the middle of the sound, and begged of the prince to allow
him a little more time, that it seemed very probable at low water they could
pass over with dry feet without being obliged to hazard his life by swimming,
which was to be the ultimate resource, which happened accordingly, for in less
than three quarters of an hour's time, they passed over without wetting the
soles of their shoes.
The
prince seemed as well pleased when he got out of that labyrinth as if he was
landed in France; he was so cold (for the rain pierced to his very skin) that
he trembled, the moor being so plain that there was not the least bush, eminence,
or hill to cover him from the weather, and he was so hungry that he was not
able to walk, having eaten not a mouthful of any kind since the evening before.
In this deplorable condition it was hard to determine how to behave, but as
there was no time to be lost, despite of rain and weather, he continued his
journey for Rossinish,
where he expected to find the ladies before him that night. When they had walked
about a quarter of a mile, they lighted accidentally upon two sheelings, where
two of Clanranald's tenants stayed, who, seeing them coming, came to meet them.
Neil, to prevent their coming too nigh, stepped on and met them; they enquired
what were these other two that came along with him.
Neil
satisfied their curiosity by telling them they were poor Irish gentlemen, who
made their escape from Culloden,
and run to the country for shelter, and that it was an act of charity if they
had any kind of eatables to give them some refreshment, for that they had not tasted
meat for eight-and-forty hours before, whereupon the honest fellows ordered
them to go in; the door of the hut was so low and narrow, that the prince was
obliged to creep upon his belly. There they feasted splendidly upon such cheer
as there was to be had, which was mostly milk kind; being thus sufficiently
refreshed they went off, and as Neil was not thoroughly acquainted in that road,
he brought one of the fellows with him for a guide to whom he gave half a
guinea for his pains. When they were within three miles of Rossinish,
being at that time five in the afternoon, they laid down in a loch side among high
heather, which was all the shelter they had from the rain.
There
they past the remaining part of the day, the prince shivering with cold all the
time. When it was late, they set out for Rossinish,
the night turned so dark that they could not see three yards before them, and
the rain was so vehement, with the wind blowing directly in their teeth, that
they could scarcely look where to set their foot; besides the road was so very
bad, that the prince, despite of what care Neil and O'Neil could take of him,
fell at almost every step in some ditch or mire, where, very often, he lost his
shoes, which gave Neil a vast deal of trouble and pains before he could fish
them up again, being sometimes obliged to put his hand to the very shoulder in
the puddle for them.
After
having surmounted all these troubles and difficulties, they at last arrived in
the long wished for harbour. When they came near the house, Neil left the prince
and O'Neil about a cannon-shot off, while he himself went in to see whether the
ladies were come; but finding none but the man who took care of the house in
bed with his wife, who told him that twenty of the Skye militia who landed
there two days before, were in a tent about a quarter of a mile of the house,
he returned to the prince with that dismal news, which so enraged him, that he
was like to tear his clothes in pieces, not knowing where to run for safety,
the enemy being everywhere.
The
guide, though he did not understand the language they spoke, yet understood the
confusion they were in, told them there was one of Clanranald's boomen[8]
not far off, into whose house they might go with safety till they came to a
further resolution. They immediately betook themselves thither, and I leave the
reader to judge what a bonny figure they made when they came to examine themselves
before light, all bespattered with dirt and mud, after the foregoing night's
walk. There he resolved to return Neil to Nunton
to inform Miss MacDonald that he was arrived, and to hasten her to come without
any longer delay.
Neil,
who foresaw clearly the danger he would be exposed to, if he was left with a
man who knew not one step of the country, or where to retire to in case of
necessity, absolutely denied to part with the prince upon any account, and so
Mr. O'Neil was obliged to go upon that expedition; who was mighty well pleased
to be entrusted with that embassy, not so much to further the prince's affairs,
as to be in company with Miss Flora, for whom he professed a great deal of
kindness at that time. About break of day, the booman's wife told Neil that it
was dangerous for them to stay in the house any longer because the militia were
wont to come every morning to buy milk, whereupon Neil and his pupil went and
lodged under a rock pretty near the shore, where the booman sent one of his dairymaids
to give them notice from time to time, what was passing among their neighbour
enemies.
It
is almost inexpressible what torment the prince suffered under that unhappy
rock which had neither height nor breadth to cover him from the rain which poured
down upon him so thick as if all the windows of heaven had broke open, and, to
complete his tortures, there lay such a swarm of midges upon his face and hands
as would have made any other but himself fall into despair, which,
notwithstanding his incomparable patience, made him utter such hideous cries
and complaints as would have rent the rocks with compassion.
Neil,
who stood all this time aside him, could be of no more service to him than to
let run to the ground the rain which stagnated in the lurks of the plaid
wherein he lay wrapped. In this miserable condition he continued for about
three hours, till their faithful scout came for the last time, and told them
they might return to the house, for that the militia was gone; Neil helped him
to his feet, and they marched away to the house, where the good dairymaid took
care to make a rousing fire for their coming. He was no sooner entered but Neil
stripped him of all his clothes from top to toe, and hung ropes round the house
to dry them on; he sat down in his shirt at the fireside as merry and hearty as
if he was in the best room at Whitehall.
After
he had warmed himself, he desired Neil to ask the wife if she had any eatables.
She said that she had nothing except a chapin of milk she kept for her bairns, which
Neil desired her to warm in a pot, and when it was hot to froth it up with the
machine made for that purpose. When all was ready, the wife placed the pot
before the prince and Neil, and gave them two horn spoons as coarse as ever was
made use of, the prince asked Neil what it was, who told it was fresh cream, he
not doubting but it was really so, and at the same time believing it to be
solid, pushed his hand to the very wrist in the scalded milk, which made him
draw back his hand in the greatest hurry, all full of wrath, and dropped his
spoon in the pot. Neil had all the difficulty imaginable to keep his gravity,
to hear him curse the wife and her pot a hundred times, calling her a vile witch
for (says he) she contrived it a purpose that we might burn ourselves. Neil,
seeing him altogether out of humour, in order to pacify him, told he would take
a stick and labour her to an inch of her life with it, and immediately ran to
an oar of the boat that was lying before him to knock out her brains. The prince,
believing him to be serious, begged of him not to touch her, for, if he came to
do her any hurt, she would certainly run off and bring a party upon them.
After
this repast, the prince inclined to sleep a little, as he rested none the night
before; but to get a bed for him was the question in short, there was no better
shift than to take the leaf of the door, and lay it down upon the floor, and
spread an old ragged sail over it, which Neil found in the house; there he
slept some hours wrapped in his wet plaid. The guide, who went with O'Neil the
night before to Clanranald's house, returned towards evening, who brought along
with him a roasted fowl, and a couples of bottles of wine, and a letter from
O'Neil to the prince, the contents of which I could not find out, though it's
very probable he excused himself for not returning, under pretence to hasten
all matters for leaving the country. The prince supped very heartily upon what the
lady had sent him, and afterwards slept soundly upon a heather bed, which Neil
made for him.
Next
morning the prince wrote a letter to O'Neil by the same post that brought the
former, desiring him to come to him that night; but O'Neil contented himself to
return him an answer by the same bearer, telling him he could not come by
reason that he waited Miss McDonald and the Lady Clanranald, who was to come
next day without fail.
The
prince waited that day in the house of Rossinish.
Next morning Neil carried him to a hill
half way betwixt Rossinish
and Nunton;
there they lay till the evening, when they returned to their former quarters.
The
prince seemed very uneasy that night that neither O'Neil nor the ladies did not
come according to promise; but the truth is, they could not really come sooner,
as they were busy night and day to get his dress made for the prince, and
whatever other things he might have occasion for. The next day Rory McDonald,
and one John McDonald, who were to be two of our crew, arrived in the morning,
and told that both boat and crew were ready whenever he pleased.
Whereupon
Neil carried the prince to the same hill where they had skulked the day before,
and leaving him in the hands of the two MacDonalds before mentioned, posted off
himself to hurry the ladies from Nunton,
and sent off O'Neil directly to the place where he left the prince when himself
went with the Lady Clan, Miss Flora McDonald, Clanranald's daughter, and Mr.
McDonald of Milltown, Miss Flora's brother, about another road, where they were
to have the conveniency of a boat to Rossinish.
The
prince, who arrived first, welcomed them ashore, and handed the Lady Clan to
the house, while O'Neil took care of Miss Flora. There they passed some hours very
hearty and merry till supper was served, which was scarce began, when one of
Clanranald's herds came with the news that General Campbell was landing his men
within three miles of them. The supper thus ended, which was hardly begun all
run to their boat in the greatest confusion, every one carrying with him
whatever part of the baggage came first to his hand, without either regard to
sex or quality, they crossed Loch
Uskavagh, and, about five in the morning, landed on the other side, where they
ended the supper.
About
eight a servant came to the Lady Clanranald to acquaint her that General
Campbell, with a party of his men, were at her house, and wanted that she
should be there before twelve of the clock otherwise that her house should
suffer for all. Here the lady and her daughter took leave of the prince and
went off. Great was the debate betwixt Miss Flora and O'Neil upon this
occasion, who insisted strongly to leave the country with the prince; but Miss
McDonald would never condescend, because he being a stranger, and consequently
did not speak the language of the country, would readily be taken notice of by
the common sort, and so took leave of the prince and Miss, made the best of his
way to South
Uist along with Milltown.
The
company being gone, the prince, stripped of his own clothes, was dressed by
Miss Flora in his new attire, but could not keep his hands from adjusting his
head dress, which he cursed a thousand times. There they lay till the evening,
waiting impatiently for the night to set off. Here they were alarmed by five wherries the same, as they
supposed, that landed the Campbells the night before in Benbecula,
supposing, by taking this precaution, to keep the prince from making his
escape. But their fears were soon over; for the wherries sailed by to the
southward without ever stopping. After sunset they got into their boat, which
was managed by the following persons - Rory McDonald, John McDonald, John
McMurich, Duncan Campbell, and Rory McDonald of Glengarry family; the prince
passed for Miss McDonald's maid, and Neil McDonald in the quality of a servant.
The
weather proving calm in the beginning of the night, they rowed away at a good
rate. The prince, who, all this time, was not in the least discouraged,
encouraged them to row still better, saying that he would relieve him that was
most fatigued. The poor men, almost ready to breathe out their last, at length
made the point of Waternish[9] on
the north corner of the Isle of Skye, where, having got into a cliff in a rock,
they rested themselves for an hour, and at the same time revived their drooping
spirits with a plentiful repast of bread and butter, while the water that fell
from the top of the rock furnished them drink.
This
gave them fresh vigour for to undertake the remaining part of their labour they
landed in Kilbride
in Troternish within a cannon shot of Sir Alexander MacDonald's house,
twelve miles from the place where we saw the enemy.
In
the neighbourhood of this place was another party of the Skye militia, who was
posted there to examine all boats that came from the isles, as they were pretty
well assured that the prince was there at that time. Miss and Neil having kept
the prince in the boat as well as they could, went to the house, leaving strict
orders with the boatmen not to stir from it till they came back, or some word
from them, and in case their curiosity led anybody thither, who might perhaps
take the liberty to ask who was the person kept in the boat, to answer Miss
McDonald's maid, and to curse her for a lazy jade, what was she good for, since
she did not attend her Mrs.
About
an hour before sunset they set off for Kingsburgh,
where they were to be that night. Miss Flora, who stayed for dinner at Monkstadt,
that she might not be suspected by Lieut. MacLeod, followed a horseback at some
distance, and was mightily diverted to hear several of the country people with
whom she fell in upon the road, as they returned from the meeting house at Monkstadt,
it being Sunday, make their remarks upon the behaviour of Betty Burk, her maid,
which name the prince borrowed when he left the Isle of Uist.
Neil,
who walked a little behind the prince, and Kingsburgh, hearing the subject the
fellows were upon, went slower 'till they came up and joined him, but they,
notwithstanding, continued to speak with the same freedom as before, of the
impudence and assurance of Miss Burk, who was not ashamed to walk and keep
company with Kingsburgh, and was no less vexed than surprised how he took so
much notice of her, when he never minded her mistress, who was so near at hand.
Betty, very easy of what would be said of her, went on always at such a rate,
that she very often got a piece before her fellow travellers, which gave
occasion to some of the fellows to cry out, “Curse the wretch do you observe,
sir (meaning Neil), what terrible steps she takes, how manly she walks, how carelessly
she carries her dress”, and a hundred such like expressions, which they repeated
over and over again.
But
what they most took notice of all was, when Kingsburgh and his companion was
come to a rivulet about knee deep, which crossed the high road, to see Burk
take up her petticoats so high when she entered the water. The poor fellows
were quite confounded at this last sight, which made them rail out against
Burk, calling her all the names in the world, and asked of Neil if he was
acquainted with her. Neil told them that he knew nothing about her further than
to hear she was an Irish girl who met with Miss MacDonald in Uist,
and upon a report of her being a famous spinner of lint, engaged her for her
mother's use.
The
honest people soon after departed with Neil and Miss Flora, and made for their
different homes full of astonish –
[Manuscript
ends abruptly.]
[1]XIX Chief, Donald "The Gentle Lochiel" Cameron
[2]Set fire to by 320 men of Bligh's Regiment, under the command of Lt. Colonel Edward Cornwallis and a “body” of Munro's, under the command of Munro of Culcairn on May 28, 1746.
[3]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 firr-sticks ! Had
Ned Bourke not netted a couple of salmon, there would have been nothing to
eat.’ (L. in M, i i. 89, 191.)
[4]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.
[5]A
quarter of a peck of oatmeal not threshed, but burnt out of the ear.
[6]Prince Charles landed in Benbecula, Clanranald's island, on 6th May, and from this time onward Neil writes from knowledge, not hearsay.
[7]The
actual stay at Corodale
was from 14th May to 5th
June, although the prince was in South Uist until 24th June. For
details, see the Itinerary.
[8]A tenant who takes stock from the landlord and shares with him in the increase.
[9]In the narrative it says Watersay so it could also have been Waterstein