The '45

The story begins at Glenfinnan in August 1745 with the landing of Prince Charles Edward Stewart and the "seven men of Moidart", an event which has since been commemorated by the erection of a monument on the site; a photograph I took of that monument some years ago now serves to decorate the cover of this book. The narrative, which I have strived to make as historically accurate as possible, goes on from there through many highs and lows via Prestonpans, Carlisle, Manchester, Derby, Falkirk, Stirling and the forts of the `Great Glen' before ending in disaster at Culloden in April '46. I have also strived to include the more obscure events and confrontations between the Jacobites and the Hanoverians such as Ruthven Barracks, Clifton, Inverurie, Moy, Blair Castle, Tongue and Littleferry. The really sad thing about the '45 was that it was in many ways a civil war, men from the same family were to be found on both sides, e.g. James Murray was the 2nd Duke of Atholl and a Hanoverian whilst his brother Lord George Murray was one of, if not the, leading lights of the Jacobites! The same situation was to be found right down the line and it wasn't just Stewart versus Hanover; it was also Scotland against England and, more subtlety, Catholic against Protestant. Scotsman fought Scotsman, Scottish Clan fought Scottish Clan and Scottish regiment fought Scottish regiment, this happened in almost every one of the above mentioned confrontations and is not therefore dissimilar to the present political climate prevalent in the Scotland of today!